Full of character

8:27am Wednesday 19th March 2008

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WEYMOUTH boss John Hollins reckons last night's incredible comeback at Northwich Victoria proves his men possess the character to achieve Blue Square Premier survival.

The 2-2 draw has lifted the Terras above Altrincham and out of the bottom four but only on goal difference.

And with tough games against play-off contenders Cambridge United and Exeter City coming up over the Easter weekend, Hollins knows similar mettle will have to be displayed if his side is to start moving further away from the drop-zone.

The Terras looked down and out when Lee Steele opened the scoring for the Vics and Darryn Stamp doubled the advantage with just 17 minutes remaining but Jake Hyde's first for the club and James Coutts' second goal in two games ensured the spoils were shared.

Hollins said: "It was pretty dull stuff before a mistake by us saw two of our defenders go for the same ball allowing one of their guys to go through and open the scoring.

"They then got a second so I made a couple of changes and went three up front, and once we scored one we could have gone on to win it although they had a couple more chances as well.

"I think that is a really vital point and I think it is where we are going to start. It has taken us above Altrincham and we need to continue showing that same fight and character.

"It took a bit of time to come out tonight and what I want to see now is for us to start going one up, two up and three up because we have been beaten in a few matches and I have not liked it.

"We now have two big games coming up at Cambridge on Saturday and at home against Exeter on Monday and we seem to like playing against those sorts of sides.

"They are games where if you manage to come out with some points you tend to get a lot of credit. Cambridge will be smarting from losing against Crawley Town so it is important we go there and try and put them under a bit of pressure."

Simon Weatherstone was recalled to Weymouth's starting XI but Hollins' plans were soon in tatters when Paolo Vernazza was forced to withdraw after 20 minutes and replaced by Nick Crittenden, who also had to come off midway through the second half.

Hollins added: "Paolo felt some tightness in his groin. We played at Burton on Sunday and only had a light session on Monday, so the games are coming fast and furious but it is the same for every side.

"As for Nick, he was ill for about three days and that is why we had to rest him on Sunday. He has lost a lot of weight and when he came on you could see after 15 or 20 minutes that he was looking very drained so we have got to be careful all round really."

Hollins also hinted that he could be close to bringing in another new face.

He said: "With a bit of luck something might come off to help us freshen things up a bit."