Cox hails amazing win over champions

Interim Wealdstone boss Sam Cox spoke of an amazing feeling as his side boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over National League champions Chesterfield at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday.

The unexpected success left Stones three points above the drop with two games left to play, and stand-in manager Cox was delighted with his side’s endeavours.

“It feels amazing. I just said to the boys in the dressing room just now, all I’ve asked since being given this role and responsibility is for them to give me their everything,” said Cox.

“To leave your heart and soul on the pitch. There was a lot of information to take in before the game between myself and Liam Badcock. Putting together a strategy and how we’d get through this game, the 90 just to get through it.

"We felt even with our schedule, we’ve had three games in the league, and we’d get a win today.

"That may have been a bold suggestion that we might be out of our minds, but we truly believed it, and I think that’s the attitude of what we’ve gone for, so it’s an unbelievable performance. Just fantastic.”

Despite much rotation from last Thursday’s 4-2 win over Dorking Wanderers, performance levels didn’t drop, and the Stones boss pointed to this.

“I’m delighted, but I didn’t have any doubt, and again, I said to them in the dressing room - personnel, it doesn’t matter,” he added.

“We just need to keep the momentum going now. I have full trust in whoever comes in and whoever’s asked to do a job. I know these boys are fighting for this club, and I’ve seen it this past week that they care.

"I think even in the Southend game, we didn’t get the result, but I think the fans could see these boys are fighting, so I’ve got full belief in those boys that came in.”

Cox praised the efforts of the players who deputised for such a crucial fixture, suggesting the harmony in the squad has been a crucial factor in turning the season around.

“Dillion Da Silva has been fantastic. Jack Young's impact. He was frustrated not to start, but he’s come on and impacted the game, and ultimately, it’s his pressing that led to Dillon scoring the goal," said Cox.

"Manny Duku’s come in, he hasn’t played in such a long time and has come in and put an absolute shift in.

“In and out of possession, these boys are fantastic, so I can’t ask any more, each to a man. I’m so proud of each and every one of them.”

Stones were brought back to earth as Chris Maguire's 88th-minute goal earned Eastleigh a 1-0 win at Grosvenor Vale on Tuesday.

It left them two points above the drop zone ahead of their final-day trip to Oldham Athletic on Saturday.