DREW Roberts paid tribute to the work of City s defence following their 1-0 win at Havant & Waterlooville on Monday night. Roberts 56th minute strike was all that separated the two sides on the night and was enough to give Steve Castle s side all three p

DREW Roberts paid tribute to the work of City's defence following their 1-0 win at Havant & Waterlooville on Monday night.

Roberts' 56th minute strike was all that separated the two sides on the night and was enough to give Steve Castle's side all three points thanks to the fine rearguard performance that kept out the home side.

"The back four and the goalkeeper were absolutely tremendous," Roberts told the Herts Advertiser afterwards.

"We came under a lot of pressure early in the second half and all I can say is they kept us in the game and we were lucky to nick one at the other end. Coming away to a team like Havant & Waterlooville with their budget, they're a big club at this level and we did well to get a win."

City's win was impressive considering the state of the pitch. Sustained heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the game meant the pitch was heavily waterlogged but referee Nigel Lugg gave it the go ahead and Roberts says it made the team's job a lot harder.

"It was awful, you couldn't plant your feet at all and you were skidding all over the place," he said.

"The mud was coming over the top of your boots, it was hard but it was the same for both teams. Look at the result we made the better of it. With your backs against the wall, everything against us, the pitch against us we're really happy to come away with the win."

Roberts' goal was a clever finish after being released by Jake Beecroft's first time pass and City's leading scorer was just pleased the on-loan Rushden man had got him free.

"To be fair I made a couple of runs when he (Beecroft) could've slipped me in but he finally got me in, a couple of good touches, smash it across the 'keeper and I was delighted to see it hit the back of the net.

"All the lads in the changing room were buzzing. To come on such a long journey and to get three points is exactly what we wanted."

The squad will enjoy a well earned rest this weekend with a rare weekend break in the fixture list and Roberts says it's a good opportunity for the players to recharge ahead of a potential late surge for the play-offs.

"We've got a well deserved break; it's been a hard season so far. Hopefully the lads can recharge their batteries so they're ready to go again.

"We've always got one eye on the play-offs but we've been inconsistent this year.

I was just saying to Steve (Castle) look at some of the games we've lost this year, you wonder where we could be if we were more consistent. We've got one eye on the play-offs but you never know we'll have to wait and see.