WHILE he admitted to feeling apprehensive ahead of his team's Thurlow Nunn League division one south game at Benfleet, Halstead Town manager Mark McLean was thrilled with how his players responded to having a two-and-a-half week spell of inactivity.

Halstead hadn't had any action since a 7-2 Boxing Day win at Wivenhoe Town, but were straight back into their stride with a 1-0 win in south Essex that kept them third in the table.

McLean said there was some inevitable rustiness, but he was pleased with how his players kept to the game plan they had been given and, although they had to wait for it, felt Jordan Pavett's late goal was a just reward.

"There was loads of trepidation ahead of the game after the break because of that time off that we'd had," said McLean.

"We knew what to expect but having an enforced break like that, at this time of year when you've had festivities over Christmas, you don't always come back with a win.

"It was a real concern for me because Benfleet are a really good footballing side.

"So I was absolutely delighted with the three points.

"We went safe in the first half as we'd asked the players to not do anything spectacular because of the time off they'd had and we didn't want anything silly from them.

"It was similar to how we played it a CBS in Norwich when we had a break like that last year and it worked well for us.

"Jack Cherry had to make a couple of good saves in the first half, but their keeper did as well and that meant it was 0-0 at half-time.

"We then asked the players to turn the screw in the second half and I was pleased to see us control the game.

"Benfleet are a good side, but we were camped in their half.

"We did everything right but just struggled to get the goal as their keeper made a couple more good saves and we also missed a penalty.

"Benfleet then had a little five-minute spell after penalty, which is natural as something like that lifts you, and we were grateful to Jack again for an incredible save.

"He had been a spectator for much of the half, but that save he made was one of the best I've seen and that's partly why he was our man-of-the-match.

"Things like that are the difference and I always thought that we would score so it was good that it did eventually come in the 88th minute.

"I think it was a deserved goal and that we deserved the win."