LAUNCESTON boss Neil Price felt his side were ‘really good in in the second half’ as they earned a vital 2-0 success over fellow strugglers Millbrook at Pennygillam on Saturday.

The Clarets went into the game four points behind their opponents who started the afternoon second from bottom, but Mike Steele’s penalty which was added to by man-of-the-match Andy Watkins, ensured they are within a point and, crucially, with two games in-hand.

A relieved Price told the Post: “It was a really good result and we were really good in the second half after a slow start, and we could have scored a couple more goals.

“We squeezed up, played in their final third and created lots of chances.”

While Launceston haven’t scored the goals they would like, it is at the other end where they’ve really struggled.

Going into Saturday they had conceded 66 goals in just 22 outings and had earned just two shutouts in the process, a fact not lost on the former Watford defender.

He continued: “A clean sheet is always welcome and we have had seven centre-half pairings this season and no continuity anywhere, so that’s been the problem.

“But we’re now a point behind with two games in-hand and we have six out of our last seven matches left at home.

“It only takes a couple of back-to-back wins and you can dramatically improve your league position, so hopefully we can start against Camelford on Saturday.”

But that won’t be an easy task.

Camelford, inspired by the decision to put centre-half Adam Sleep up front in the last two games, have beaten both Bodmin Town and St Day 3-0 with Sleep notching four in the process.

It means Reg Hambly’s side have moved eight points clear of Launceston having also played 23 games, and are remarkably now within four points of Holsworthy in eighth.

Price continued: “We haven’t done great against the Camels over the last couple of seasons we need to defend well and take our chances to get a positive result.”

While Launceston haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons at first team level, Price feels the club are heading in the right direction.

He concluded: “We have a great youth set-up now with loads of young players in the thirds and pushing into the reserves, so we are hoping in the next few years to reap those rewards.”