McDonald believes Kettering Town earned their good fortune in win over Quorn
Liam McDonald admitted Kettering Town had luck on their side as they secured a crucial 2-0 Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central win at high-flying Quorn on Saturday.
But the Poppies boss felt his team deserved their good fortune and with it the three points for sticking to the game plan against their promotion-chasing hosts.
Goals at the end of each half from Ismael Fatadjo and new signing Preston Bitemo secured three precious points for Kettering, and a first league win for the new man in charge following on from the 0-0 draw with St Ives Town in his first game at the helm.
The win sees the Poppies edge up to seventh in the table, and to within two points of the play-off places, although the sole automatic promotion place looks a way off as they are seven points adrift of new leaders Harborough Town, having played two games more.
"I think the win was deserved on the basis we had a game plan and the boys stuck to it," said McDonald. "I said to the boys at the end that I was really grateful they didn't deviate from it.
"Quorn are a good side and transitionally they are tough to play against and are really tough to prepare for, but without controlling possession I thought we controlled what they were going to do in the first half."
The Poppies goals were contrasting in style, with Fatadjo bundling home from close range after a long throw created havoc, and Bitemo delivering a superb solo effort to seal the points at the death.
"We have talked about having a long throw now, and looking at second and third phase stuff, and we have scored off that so that is fantastic," said McDonald.
"In the second half we rode our luck so much and it was edge-of-your-seat stuff, but we knew that was going to happen.
"I said to the boys at half-time they are going to have to defend and I don't have a solution for them for that, it just comes down to being brave, not being lazy at certain moments, and we were excellent.
"It was a tough game but I have spoken about exhaustion, and to be a top team you have to exhaust yourself and the boys were in there after the game exhausted, so that is a big plus."
The Poppies are without a midweek game and are also sitting things out on Saturday as scheduled opponent AFC Sudbury are in FA Trophy action.
Kettering return to action next Tuesday night with another tough away day, this time heading to Spalding United, who lost top spot at the weekend after suffering a 3-2 home defeat to St Ives.
Quotes courtesy of Peter Short