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Salford City

‘We were outstanding tonight’ – Neil Wood celebrates Salford’s win at Sutton

The Ammies recorded successive League Two wins for the first time this season thanks to second-half goals from Matt Smith and Kelly N’Mai.

It has been a much-needed resurgence after a dismal run of five consecutive league losses.

“I thought we were outstanding tonight,” said Wood. “The first half was excellent.

“We controlled the game, we tidied up the game when we needed to.

“There was a worry when we didn’t score in the first half. Sometimes you dominate and when you’ve hit the post twice you always wonder if it’s going to come back to bite you.

“It was important to get that first goal and it was a great individual goal from Kelly for the second.

“It is a relief in a way because you pick up wins and you’re out of that run of not winning games.

“But we’re always confident, we’re always working in the background.

“These players are capable and they’ve shown that again tonight by backing up from the weekend.

“They can do it and they need to build on that. We’ve got another game on Saturday and we need to take the confidence from the last two games into that.”

Matt Gray’s U’s are still searching for a first league win since the opening day.

And after Tranmere’s win over Bradford, Sutton already sit five points off safety.

Sutton boss Gray said: “I’m very frustrated because the first goal is always big in any game and especially in the situation we’re in at the moment it’s really important.

“To concede from a corner is really disappointing because it was an even first half. They had a couple of moments, but so did we.

“There were some good bits from us and it felt like a tight and even game.

“We’re very, very competitive in spells but not for the 90 minutes and that’s why we’re in the situation we’re in.

“It’s hard to take because you have to take your moments with the pressure we’ve had.

“It’s poor defending and letting them score from the corner is disappointing.

“We had three really good chances at the end and unfortunately we couldn’t take one of those chances at the death.

“There’s a lot to work on, that’s obvious. But that desire, work ethic and will to get a win is there. That’s a huge plus and we just have to keep working.

“We’re desperate to get this win to get us going.”

Man Utd legend Scholes handed Salford City reins

The Manchester United legend had an ill-fated 31-day spell in charge of fellow fourth-tier club Oldham Athletic last year.

He is stepping in on a caretaker basis after Salford, unbeaten in the league this season, decided to terminate Alexander's contract after a reign that started in May 2018 and included promotion from the Conference National.

Scholes' first game at the helm of Salford, who surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, will come at Port Vale this weekend.

The 45-year-old is one of the part-owners of Salford, with former United team-mates David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville also invested in the club.

McAtee revels in hat-trick

James McAtee has spent the past two seasons out on loan but grabbed his opportunity to shine against Salford City with both hands.