LITTLE Oakley assistant manager James Good admitted it took a moment of "brilliance and class" to get his side firing in Tuesday's First Division Knockout Cup victory against Holland FC.

The Acorns were trailing at half-time but restored parity thanks to an unstoppable long-range effort from Shaun Kioussis.

It was a magnificent strike and paved the way for further goals from Harry Miller and Luke Mayhew.

It meant Oakley ran out 3-1 winners - the perfect response to Saturday's 1-0 defeat at early Thurlow Nunn League first division south pacesetters Lopes Tavares.

Good joked that Kioussis' effort was a "miss-hit" but said: "In all seriousness, it was a great strike from Shaun.

"We know he's capable of scoring goals like that.

"He's got the technique and as soon as it left his boot, we knew it was going in.

"It was a special goal and we needed that little bit of brilliance and class to get us back in the game.

"We've certainly played better and lost, so to win when we weren't at our best was very pleasing.

"Holland had the lion's share of the chances and we lacked a bit of confidence in the first half.

"We asked for a reaction and the boys gave it to us.

"We started the second half really well, got our goals and managed to nick it."

Despite the result, Good was more than satisfied with his side's performance at Lopes Tavares on Saturday.

It left them third in the table, four points behind their Plaistow-based opponents and one behind second-placed Halstead Town.

"In a strange way, it was probably our best performance of the season, even though we didn't win," he said.

"We came away with more positives than negatives and felt that if we could produce more performances like that, we won't go far wrong.

"That's why it was so pleasing to win on Tuesday.

"Everyone wants a cup run and if we can end the season with a trophy it would be fantastic.

"We've certainly got the ability; it's just a question of making sure we keep grinding results out.

"I know it's a cliche but winning games is a really good habit.

"The games are coming thick and fast and it's about turning up with the right attitude and hoping you get the rewards."

Oakley play host to Burnham Ramblers on Saturday.