Sandy delighted and relieved as Diamonds sink Sphinx to close in on play-offs

John-Joe O'Toole's 13th-minute header proved to be the difference in the end, but it was far from plain sailing on an incident-packed night that included a 20-minute delay in the second half after the referee fell ill.

That led to an assistant taking over the whistle, and a replacement flagman being brought in, with Sphinx pressing hard on the restart, winning an 80th-minute penalty that was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Ben Heath.

Heath was brought in on a short-term basis from UCL side Newport Pagnell to replace the injured Dan Jezeph, and more than did his bit to secure a second win on the road in just a matter of days.

Diamonds were 3-1 winners at Bourne Town on Saturday, and although Sandy was also delighted with the win over Sphinx, he admitted his side rode their luck.

"I am absolutely delighted with the win, and it was all about just getting the three points," Sandy told @AFCRD.

"I know it sounds obvious, but it was the case on a night like that, away from home, on a really heavy pitch against a side that is newly put together and fighting for their manager.

"We started on fire and should have put the game to bed with the chances we had, but then fair play to Sphinx they stayed in the game and made it a real battle, so I am just delighted to see it out.

"We thought we needed to get after them quickly because Sphinx don't quite know each other yet, or that's what we were hoping, and we wanted to start well.

"It's great for John-Joe to get his first goal for us, and we then missed a hatful of chances which made the game tighter than is should have been.

"Sphinx then came back into it, and they get the penalty as well which Heathy saves and I am really pleased."

On the delay for the referee's illness, Sandy said: "It was really tough, because we had started the second half really well, but then you have a 15-20 minute spell when the referee is unwell, and it is difficult.

"Both sets of players are having a laugh, the benches are having a chat, and the whole sort of feel of the game goes a bit, and it becomes a bit jovial.

"But we managed it really well, they put us under a lot of pressure and we defended our box superbly and the penalty save was unbelievable as well so we have probably got a bit lucky in the end.

"The draw was probably a fair result after that first 20 minutes, but we will take it."

The win sees Diamonds move up to seventh and to within three points of fifth-placed Coleshill Town, ahead of county rivals Wellingborough Town's clash with Corby Town on Wednesday night (ko 7.45pm).

A win for either of those sides will see them leapfrog Diamonds, while a draw will see Borough go back to seventh on goal difference.

On Saturday, Sandy's team are back on home soil when they entertain second-placed Belper Town (ko 3pm).