Impressive finish gives Saints perfect platform

“Although we are not likely to improve on our mid-table position, we are finishing this season on a roll and already looking ahead to the next one,” said Fogarty.

“It has been a time for rebuilding but I am happy with the squad we have assembled and believe we have got the best of the local talent at our level. If we can keep the players together, they can only get better with experience.”

Saints, who welcomed back Tunde Ajibade after suspension and former Massey midfielder Mark Anderson from injury, made a bright start, forcing an early corner. Then, a good cross from Leigh Phillips was safely gathered by former Leamington keeper Paul Shepherd.

Massey twice went close, forcing James Stott into a save in the tenth minute and then hitting a post shortly after.

Back came Saints with Charlie Neale shooting over the top from a Jack Taylor corner and Shepherd gathering from Ajibade at the second attempt.

In the second half, both sides were denied a goal by the woodwork and, with ten minutes remaining, Neale’s header from a corner was cleared off the line.

But Saints got the all-important goal to seal the match with just four minutes left as substitute Luke Church set up Ajibade for his 12th goal of the season.

On Saturday, Saints played out a goalless draw at Bolehall Swifts, finishing with ten men after James Stott was sent off in the second half.

After two minutes, James Hardie sent Ross Jackson away and he set up Luke Church, whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Shortly after, Stott kept Saints in the match, saving with his legs from Alex Gough and, at the opposite end, Church was denied by Bolehall keeper Ian Kimberley.

In the 20th minute, a long throw into the Saints’ penalty box was flicked on to Grant Roscorla, who headed straight at Stott.

Within a minute of the restart, Jackson was in the thick of the action again, but Kimberley saved at his feet, with the Saints striker picking up an injury in the process.

Kimberley was again tested when Leigh Phillips produced a powerful shot on the turn after receiving a throw-in from Marc Passey.

There was drama in the 53rd minute when a John Blunsom error let in Swifts and Stott was dismissed after being adjudged to have fouled an onrushing forward.

Blunsom took over in goal and pulled off a good save to his left to keep out Roscorla’s penalty.

Tomorrow, Saints bring down the curtain on their imoSports Midland Combination season when they entertain Continental Star at Banbury Road (3pm).