MANAGER Steve Castle was delighted to see his players grow in confidence during their 2-0 win over Weymouth on Saturday - the club s first victory on the road this season. City, particularly in the second half, played some good football in patches with So

MANAGER Steve Castle was delighted to see his players grow in confidence during their 2-0 win over Weymouth on Saturday - the club's first victory on the road this season.

City, particularly in the second half, played some good football in patches with Solomon Shields dictating the play from midfield and Gary Cohen enjoying a profitable afternoon on the right hand side and Castle admitted afterwards that it was good to see the players relax after they'd taken the lead.

"The pleasing thing for me was just getting a little bit more confidence," said Castle. "Good players are just giving the ball away a little bit too much but as soon as that goal goes in I can just sense people like Solomon (Shields), Gary (Cohen) and Drew (Roberts) calming down a bit, proving just what good players they are. There is no real pressure on them; it's the pressure (they put) on themselves to succeed.

"I've said this in umpteen interviews now; they're a good honest bunch of lads. They needed that win and I just hope they get a real boost from it as a team and individually."

Shields returned to the side following his suspension and turned in a Man of the Match performance and Castle believes if he can build on that there is every chance he can make a return to the full-time game.

"Sol's just come out of a league club (Leyton Orient) and I know for a fact that he was unlucky not to get a contract there. No disrespect to St Albans but I would imagine Sol's really looking to maybe look at full-time football at some stage but this is his platform at the moment and good performances and goals and confident performances will maybe make him progress."

The victory also gave City their first clean sheet away from home and Castle said his squad believe if they can keep the opposition out they feel they have the quality to nick a goal.

He said: "(There were) a couple of scary moments at the back but if we can just get ourselves back to clean sheets we'd like to think with people like Galbraith, and even JJ (Jonathan O'Donnell) when he came on, there'll be suppliers to people like Chillingworth, Roberts and Gary Cohen."

Young Southend defender Justin Clayton was an unused substitute at the Wessex Stadium and Castle is delighted to have another option at the back.

"Justin's down at Southend. He's needs first team football, he's too old for youth football and he's come here for the experience," revealed the City boss.

"Mark Peters' has done absolutely fantastic to keep going but obviously I can change things around with James Quilter going at the back and even James Fisher. To have someone on the bench that is young and fit, and hopefully the chance is Ryan Frater and Mark Peters don't get themselves injured, but the option is there for a centre half for a centre half without changing the team too much.