Middlesbrough Women boss Mick Mulhern was delighted to see his side win ugly at Stockport on Sunday, as he warned of potential banana skins in their quest to earn promotion this season.

The 1-0 win, courtesy of Jess Mett’s second-half goal, sent Boro Women to second, just one point off league leaders Cheadle Town, with a game in hand. Against an organised Stockport defence, and in challenging windy conditions, Mulhern was just delighted to see his side find a way to pick up the three points they needed on the road.

Runs in the cup late last year meant Boro Women fell to fourth in the table at one stage, though always had their destiny in their own hands due to games in hand. And with two straight wins to ensure that remains the case, Boro are looking well-placed.

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Speaking after the Stockport win, Mulhern said: “It was a tough one. They took us a bit by surprise playing the mid to low-block and they were well organised, so it was hard to break them down. There weren’t many chances in the first half, but I did think we should have been at least one-up at half-time.

“We knew the tempo had to go up a little bit though, which it did in the second half. There are ways to beat a low-block, we discussed that and got there in the end. Decent cross, decent finish. You’ve got to beat what’s in front of you and solve the problems. We got there in the end, so it’s really pleasing. We got the three points that we came for.”

Mulhern has never shied away from the fact that promotion is the aim this season as Boro Women look to go to the third tier of the Women’s game. They finished second last season - the first after the affiliation with Middlesbrough FC - but only side is promoted each year. With their goal in their own hands, Mulhern has warned his side they must continue to avoid potential banana skins like this could have been.

“I’m not thinking too much about the table,” Mulhern continued. “This was the start of a really hard month with four games on the road. This was the three points on the board that we needed. There will be banana skins along the road.

“It’s not going to be an easy one by any stretch. We’re still chasing, but we’ve just got to make sure we don’t slip on those banana skins and keep picking up the three points no matter how ugly that might be. Obviously it’s great being flamboyant and winning in style - we’d love to do that. But ultimately teams that win things have to know how to win ugly as well. That was one of those today.”

Mulhern’s side must now quickly recharge the batteries. They’re next in action against York City Ladies on Wednesday evening.