Poppies ride their luck but McDonald's men secure hard-fought win at high-flying Quorn

Eight weeks ago, the Poppies limped out of the FA Cup at the same venue under a different manager who was struggling to get his squad to click.

Fast forward to the weekend, and already the calming 41-year-old has instilled confidence into the Poppies while also sprinkling a few new signings to make it two wins and a draw from his first three games in charge.

The win saw Kettering rise to seventh in the table, two points off the play-offs, and seven shy of new leaders Harborough Town – although that have played two more games than the Bees.

The Poppies were by no means the complete package at Quorn - in fact they were hanging on for dear life right until debutant Preston Bitemo unleashed a piledriver that lobbed keeper Tom Allsopp, minutes before the final whistle.

But players now seem to know their roles whilst fitness is slowly creeping up, which was an issue that McDonald identified when taking on the job.

Andi Thanoj's wide effort and Connor Stanley's poke at goal that was blocked on 11 minutes were early positive signs from Kettering.

However, they were almost undone by two balls that flashed across goal on 13 and 15 minutes respectivley which Cain Noble was unable to get a final touch on.

Jason Alexander needed medical attention after Noble clattered into him during the second of those crosses, and for a short time it looked like Kettering they would have to play on without a recognised goalkeeper.

But instead the 6ft 6 gloveman ripped off the bandage around his forehead and proceeded to have another exceptional game.

At the other end, Eddie Oppong stung the hands of Allsopp with a fierce shot from a tight angle after a short corner routine on 22 minutes.

Kai Williams worked hard as the lone frontman and he wasn't able to create an outright chance for himself until the half hour mark, when he blazed over from inside the area after a neat pass was sent in from the right by Stanley.

Quorn came close to taking the lead when Noble was denied on 37 minutes by Alexander, who needed all of his body to deny the striker and parry the ball wide to safety.

Instead, the opening goal came from the current ‘in vouge’ weapon, the long throw.

Blaine Rowe caused havoc with his delivery that was nodded on by captain George Forsyth before the ball was bundled in by Ismael Fatadjo just yards out with pressure on the Quorn keeper.

A second long throw nearly gave Kettering a second soon after the break - this time though Fatadjo couldn't covert at the back post as the ball flashed past on 48 minutes.

Fatadjo was also denied in the area by Mason Frizelle's block when a pass to an open player might have been the better option.

Substitute Simeon Cobourne's shot off target on 53 minutes signalled the start of a sustained period of pressure from the hosts, and Forsyth had to make a strong block on 58 minutes while Alexander's stong left hand parried away a low Zak Goodson shot moments later.

The introduction of James Clifton, who put on a Kettering shirt for the first time in more than 10 seasons, dragged the visitors up the field.

But when Stanley wasted a chance on 69 minutes by putting the ball wide and Clifton's own effort hit the body of team mate Callum Powell on 77 minutes, fans began to fear more late heartbreak.

It almost came, but Will Glennon put in a crucial tackle on Noble on 81 minutes and Cobourne then sent another effort over the bar.

With Kettering riding their luck, it needed a breakaway goal to settle nerves.

It came three minutes into stoppage time when Bitemo, who had a relatively uneventful debut, received the ball in his own area and surged forward 50 yards up the field before firing home from 25 yards out over the head of Allsopp.

He then ingratiated himself with his new fans at very close range by jumping over the barrier into the arms of the travelling support.

Due to AFC Sudbury's run in the FA Trophy, Kettering are without a fixture until Tuesday, November 18, when they travel to Spalding United.

The extra days off will give McDonald plenty of time on the training ground whilst also allowing some of the squad to regain full fitness.

And if one or two further bodies can also be recruited (a six foot and plenty striker is the number one target), then the Poppies can confidently go about their work when many had already written them off.