STOURBRIDGE moved up to second place in Southern League Central after a Greg Mills double helped them to victory against Lowestoft Town.

The Glassboys won 3-1 at Amblecote last Saturday as a Aaron Hayden header sealed the success.

Hackett was delighted that winger Mills has found his scoring boots.

He said: "It wasn't an easy game and Lowestoft caused us a few problems but we found those moments of quality when we needed them.

"I'm really pleased that Greg Mills is now chipping in with goals for us as well. He does frustrate me at times but I'm loving working with him and he's an important player for us."

Stour went second after leapfrogging Royston who were held to a goalless draw by Halesowen Town. They now sit just three points off leaders Kettering but have played a game more.

The Glassboys made changes as they went out of the league cup in dramatic circumstances on Monday night.

Stour were a goal down at the break before a Chekaine Steele strike and a Mills penalty saw them leading heading into the closing stages.

However, when keeper Niall Maher was sent off for giving away a late spot kick it meant defender Aris Christophorou had to go in goal in injury time.

Cinderford dispatched the penalty and then went on to bag a dramatic winner at the War Memorial Ground.

It's a defeat that Hackett won't take long to get over. He added: "We were 2-1 and then had three or four really good chances that we failed to take.

"It was just a crazy last few minutes where we defended poorly, had the goalkeeper sent off but then still had more chances ourselves.

"It didn't go our way but it's a competition that no manager seems to enjoy and we won't dwell on the fact that we're not in it anymore.

"It did allow me to give game time to players that needed it and have a look at some new faces that have been training with us, but that's not what cups should be about.

"We're still in the Birmingham Senior Cup, which we want to defend, and are now very well placed in the league, so we know where our focus needs to lie."

Among those given time on the pitch were recent new arrivals Jamie Mastropierro and Cameron Walker.

Stour don't have a game this weekend but return to league action against rejuvenated Redditch United at the Trico Stadium next Tuesday night.

Hackett hopes key midfielder Aaron Forde will return from injury to feature against the Reds and is preparing for another typical Southern League Central test.

He added: "We just take each game at a time and assess each team we play when the time comes.

"There really are no easy games and we always have to make sure we are prepared. Redditch have done well recently but we are just focused on making sure we keep getting points on the board at the moment.

"We've been really good in patches this season and it is very difficult to have the perfect game but hopefully we can keep improving."