Farnham Town manager Paul Johnson praised his side’s resilience after they won 2-1 at Horsham in the National League South.

“I thought it was a really dogged performance, especially in certain patches,” said Johnson.

“I thought we were lucky in the first half – we weren't at it. We took the lead, but we could have been a couple down.

“We managed to get in at half-time and regroup and tweak a few things. I thought the boys were excellent in the second half.

“It was waiting for a moment where we could wrap the game up in the second half. We had a couple of moments.

“Darryl Sanders has hit the post and then Horsham have gone down the other end and flashed one across the box. Barring that they didn't trouble us to too much extent, barring the last few seconds.”

Owen Dean’s first two goals of the season proved decisive in giving the Town all three points, and Johnson praised Dean’s reaction after he was named on the bench for Farnham’s previous game against Billericay.

“Owen's had a tough start to life in this league,” said Johnson.

“I think he's done well in patches but I told him we took him out last week as it's sometimes good to see it from a different angle.

“He's come back in and we've backed him and given him as much belief as we can – and he's produced. After getting the first one, his confidence started to grow back.

“As soon as he got it for the second one, his first thought was going for goal. That's what we wanted. He's put it away and was unlucky not to go home with a hat-trick in the end.”

The Town suffered a blow when midfielder Tom Leggett, who was filling in at centre-back because of Farnham’s defensive injury crisis, had to come off in the 24th minute after picking up an injury.

“Tom felt something pop, so it's a bit of a worry,” said Johnson. “We're really light in that department.”

A positive for Farnham was the return of key midfielder Mat Mackenzie, who came off the bench on 78 minutes for his first minutes of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in May.

“It’s great to see Mat back,” said Johnson. “He's been ultra-professional and been at every session doing his bits. To get him back on the pitch is a massive plus.”