Dalbeattie Star came from behind to end their two month wait for a league win on Saturday.
The 3-2 victory over Broomhill was their first since they beat Rangers Colts on November 13, although they have played just three Lowland League games in the intervening period.
Boss Ritchie Maxwell, who has secured Stranraer attacker Ross Irving on loan for the rest of the season, said: “We had three defeats in a row and it’s only the second time this season that’s happened.
“Winning is a habit but losing is also a habit and we didn’t want to get into a rut where we were struggling for points.
“We’ve not played a lot of football in December and January for various reasons and we’ve not had a run of games so it was important we got points on the board.”
The first half of Saturday’s encounter at Islecroft was goalless before things changed dramatically in the opening 15 minutes of the second period.
Broomhill took the lead when Andy Monk forced the ball home but moments later Star were given a chance to draw level when Liam Park was fouled by Connor Smith. Although Russell Currie’s initial spot-kick was saved by Stephen Barr, the forward headed in the rebound.
An incredible goal-filled spell then continued when Currie put Star in front before Dylan Cairnie got the third five minutes from time, Josh Cooper’s late effort scant consolation for the visitors.
Maxwell said: “When we first conceded, the big thing was the reaction of the players and whether they could get us back into the game as soon as possible. You maybe start to look at changes you might have to make but fortunately we didn’t have to do that as the boys on the park responded. We saw it out relatively comfortably after that and it was nice to get back to winning ways.
“When you go 3-1 up with five minutes to go you think you should see the game out relatively comfortably but we never do anything the easy way. When they scored again you hope the players on the park can defend and see it out.
“I’m pleased with the response – we’d talked before the game about needing to bounce back from the Gretna defeat and the boys managed to do that.”
Star once again step away from league action on Saturday when they take on Lochmaben in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup. Maxwell added: “I think there will probably be one or two changes. It was a heavy pitch and we’ve not trained a lot so the boys had to put a lot of work in.
“Lochmaben will be up for it. They’ll see it as a chance to take a scalp with us being the Lowland League side so we’ll give them the same respect as we’d give whoever we play any other week. It’s the premier trophy in this region and we want to win it so we won’t be taking anything lightly this week.”
• Saturday’s game against Lochmaben will take place at Palmerston with a 2m kick-off. Spectators should access the ground via the East Stand nearest the Ice Bowl.
