MANAGER Ian Long has praised the way Tividale's players responded to his calls for improved performance levels.

Tivi beat Stockbridge Park Steels 2-1 at home last Saturday thanks to a double from forward Leigh Downing.

The victory pleased boss Long who had called for his side to work harder ahead of the clash.

The team have picked up narrow wins over Goole and Brigg Town in previous weeks, but it was the manner of the victories that worried the boss.

He said: "We may have been getting wins against teams towards the bottom end of the table but our performances have not been up to standard.

"We haven't been getting out of first gear and that needed to change.

"We sat them down before the game and explained that we expect more from them. We also worked them very hard in training last week.

"Credit must go to the players because they responded brilliantly.

"The game against Stockbridge was much better and they deserved the win. They should probably have won by even more."

Tividale are set to welcome Lincoln United to The Beeches this Saturday.

"We will have a big say in who wins this league and who finishes in the play-offs this season," added Long.

"I have challenged the players to finish as strongly as they can. No one should write us off against anyone. We have already proved that we are capable of beating any team in this league."