WESTFIELDS captain Craig Jones helped his side close the gap on their title rivals by scoring the only goal during a 1-0 victory over Lye Town.

Manager Andy Bevan asked for 'mental toughness' from his side following a run of four defeats in five games.

He got the response asked for as they dominated proceedings with Aidan Thomas and Ben Hayes going close in a goalless first half.

Just six minutes after the break Jones slid his side ahead before being twice denied by the Lye goalkeeper.

Jones was only denied a second goal by the post but his side ran out clear winners.

"We had a long chat with the players about the mental toughness required as we have lost four out of the last five," said Bevan.

"We wanted to get back to basics with our defending and I would have taken a 0-0, but I was confident that we would score.

"They had one shot all game while we created 16 chances so the 1-0 score-line didn't reflect that.

"I am hot on our statistics and we always try to get 14 to 16 shots which I want eight or nine on target."

The result meant Fields remained in second cutting the gap to five points to Ilkeston Town, after they and fellow promotion rivals Walsall Wood could only draw.

"Teams around us are dropping points which shows how crazy this league and it is hard to understand," Bevan added.

"A couple of players we have told to go elsewhere are scoring goals in the league above which shows just how tough it is to get out of.

"For instance Walsall Wood have just signed former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. We are in the top three which where we want to be, but will focus game by game.

"We need to keep believing and keep together. Hopefully by the end of January we can be in for a really serious shot at the league."