Ian Evatt welcomed a ‘big three points’ as Wanderers found a way past Morecambe to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
The Shrimps have been something of a bogey side for the Whites in their League meetings with Evatt’s men needing last-gasp goals last season to twice earn a share of the spoils.
But Conor Bradley’s second goal in three games just before half-time was enough to give Wanderers a satisfying 1-0 win and lift them up to fourth place in the fledgling table.
“I think it was exactly what I predicted it would be like,” said Evatt.
“It was going to be tight. I thought we completely dictated and dominated really.
“Chances were very few because when you sit that many people behind the ball it’s difficult to break down that low block.
“We got the first goal, which was vitally important and we defended really well.
“Young Conor keeps going from strength. He’s a good young player with a lot of talent and a lot of ability.
“We ask our wing-backs to get into the box and he certainly did that to get the goal.
“I was pleased with the goal and pleased with how we managed the second half.
“I’m delighted with the result. It felt like a big three points.”
Wanderers made five changes from the side that had started Saturday’s energy-sapping goalless draw at Port Vale.
And Evatt – who watched the game from the directors’ box as he served a one-match ban for his dismissal at Vale Park – was happy with the outcome as his side overcame the absence of banned skipper Ricardo Almeida Santos to extend their unbeaten start.
“We’re pleased with another home win and we’re pleased with the result,” added the Wanderers’ boss.
“It was a good team performance on the back of a difficult Saturday.
“We were disappointed with the manner of Saturday and what happened but we’ve moved on really quickly.
“It was a great effort today. To play with 10 men for 60 minutes on Saturday in that heat and then come out give a performance like that – a gritty performance; full credit to the players and now we move on.
“It’s a big week coming up with Sheffield Wednesday, Villa and then Plymouth away, so we re-group, refresh and go again.”