Wendron United 3 St Day 2

Wendron manager Paul Murray said he was 'cautiously optimistic' about his side's title chances following their 3-2 victory at Underlane over title rivals St Day.

A Jason Roberts hat-trick helped the 'dron battle back from two goals down to stun the visitors and claim what may yet prove a crucial three points in the hunt for promotion to division one west.

"I was nervous before the game," said Murray. "St Day are a good side and if we'd lost I think we'd have been cast adrift a bit at the top. I still think Illogan and St Day have got to be favourites for the title, but there's us and Ludgvan hanging in there."

Murray added it was important his side got back to winning ways after defeat against St Just in their last league outing.

"Losing against them the way we did, I was concerned that maybe we weren't up for a fight," he said. "But they proved they are. All the guys did really well."

Wendron got off the the worst possible start when, in the tenth minute, a poor throw-in by Ryan Tressider allowed St Day forward Gavin Boon to nip in and steal possession before cutting inside the area and firing a low shot into the far corner.

Five minutes later things went from bad to worse for Wendron when once again they were caught in possession at the back, this time allowing St Day top-scorer Dominic Pullen to burst clear, race to the byline and cut the ball back for Chris Tolley, who guided a simple finish past Wendron keeper Kyle Winnan.

But even at two goals down Murray said he had faith his side could recover.

"I said to Roy, my assistant, that I thought if we could keep it at two nil we could still get something out of the game," he said.

His faith was repaid in the 35th minute when Roberts received the ball on the edge of the box and curled a sublime shot into the corner of the net.

After the break Wendron began to dominate, forcing St Day back into their own half as they searched for an equaliser.

It came just seven minutes after the restart when Matt Rose played a ball in for Roberts, who shot across the keeper for his second.

Wendron finally took the lead in the 61st minute when Luke Wort went in for a challenge with the St Day keeper, and the ball squirted loose towards the goal line where Roberts was on hand to tap-in to an empty net for his hat-trick.

St Day rallied late on, and for 15 minutes before the final whistle Wendron were forced to defend in numbers.

But Murray's side clung on for all three points.

Wendron face Ludgvan next Saturday, followed by another tough game at home against Mullion.

"We want six points out of those games," said Murray. "Anything less would be a disappointment. We've got to keep the pressure on at the top. We know we're underdogs, but even though it's out of our hands we've got to keep working hard and try and win every game.

"After today I'm cautiously optimistic we can do that."

Wendron: Kyle Winnan, Sam Care, Ryan Tresidder, Kirk Davies, Chris Madely, James Rowberry, Matt Rose, Chris Mulroy, Luke Wort, Steve Brewer, Jason Roberts. SUBS: Ryan Trathen.