HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling was pleased that his side found a way to win at Buxton despite not having a natural striker playing up front.

With Aaron Amadi-Holloway drafted into defence to cover for the suspended Luke Haines a first half injury to Miles Storey left Gowling short of attacking options.

However, a Kane Thompson-Sommers second half penalty gave the Bulls their third win from four league games.

“I thought the way we used the ball today was absolutely outstanding,” said Gowling. “How we got balls through the lines was really pleasing. It was just a really pleasing away performance.

“When Miles (Storey) had gone off we haven’t got a natural number nine on the pitch, with Aaron (Amadi-Holloway) playing centre-half.

“We’ve got to set up to be solid and organised first and foremost. Aaron played at the back today because we didn’t have a centre-half and now we’ve got a striker injury.

“Zak (Lilly) hasn’t played for three months so he’s not up to speed to start. He’s just not ready.”

The Bulls created few chances in a goal-less first half and Gowling accused his side of ‘trying to score the perfect goal’ against a Buxton side who were short of confidence.

“We spoke at half-time and told them not to try and score a perfect goal,” Gowling added. “We had so much possession in the first half and they (Buxton) just sat in the box around the penalty spot.

“When you start getting shots away they start coming out and then you can start plugging the holes. We need to get used to when we’re around those areas being a bit more ruthless.

“You look at Harry (Pinchard), Kane (Thompson-Sommers) and Ryan (Lloyd) to some extent they are ball players and we need to get a ruthless.”

However, one moment of class from Thompson-Sommers picked out Gateshead loanee Dan Jarvis who was fouled inside the box with the former netting from the penalty spot.

Gowling added: “It was an excellent ball and we’ve been talking about sometimes the execution not being there but it was there today for that opportunity and we scored the penalty.”

“When we played Aaron (Amadi-Holloway) and Orrin (Pendley) in the back four we probably weren’t as fluid in possession as I’d have liked.

“It was interesting to see how we’d be today. I think Dan (Jarvis) helped with that with his movement in midfield.

“That allowed us to drop off a bit and play a bit more. Those two are powerhouses and are nice and solid.”