MANAGER Matt Fisher has hailed the character of his young Gornal Athletic players after they finally secured their first victory of the season.

The Peacocks ended a mammoth 23-game losing run thanks to a 2-0 win over Smethwick at Garden Walk last Saturday.

Winger Nathan Griffiths, 17, netted his second goal for the club before the returning Myles Newman doubled the advantage.

Gornal still sit bottom of the West Midlands Premier League and are 15 points off second-from-bottom side Dudley Sports, but Fisher thinks the win could be the boost his side need to pick up more points.

He said: "This win has been on the cards for a while and you could tell in training last Thursday night that the players were in a good frame of mind.

"They looked relaxed and confident and put in a great performance.

"We totally dominated from start to finish.If we'd have won by 5 or 6 goals it would have been a fair scoreline. We have missed three really good chances to wrap things up.

"The only thing that held us back a little was the fact that we panicked a little because it is such a strange place for us to be.

"For once we weren't chancing a game and could try and control things ourselves.

"The players did really well and they have shown great character to keep fighting. It's not easy when you are on such a long run without a win.

"We know it's only one win but it gives us the chance to take confidence from it moving forwards."

Fisher made sure to underline the support he has had from his backroom team following the long-awaited success.

Goalkeeping coach Lee Slater and first team coaches Kevin Weston and Jason Fellows have been working hard to help the players progress.

"I don't do it very often but I have to praise my coaches, physiotherapist and all those connected to the team because ending that losing run is also down to them."

Fisher, who is going to assess four trialists this week, also praised the impact of young goalscorer Griffiths, adding: "He has done really well since coming into the team and is a hot prospect.

"We promoted him from the under-18 and he has listened and learned and started the last four games. That is what we are trying to do now and making sure we develop as a group is our main priority for the rest of the season."

Athletic will look to build on their first win when they travel to Shifnal Town this Saturday (3pm).