BROMSGROVE head coach Dan Protherough believes Saturday’s 35-20 win over Longton will provide a much-needed confidence boost.

The Boars ended a three-game losing streak in the National Midlands Division Three in Stoke.

They held their nerve in a game where the lead fluctuated between both sides and bagged a bonus point win.

The victory also ensured they remain mid-table and keeps their hopes of a top four finish intact.

Protherough said: “I thought that was one our best performances of the season.

“The win gives all the lads confidence, particularly after we lost the last three games before Longton.

“It’s not easy to go and win away in this league and I thought we passed the ball well and looked in control.”

One of the plus points from a thrilling success was the return of Jon Critchlow, who had been sidelined with a broken hand.

Protherough added: “Jon reads the game so well, he gives us a lot of control and helps us build a platform."

The clash at Longton started brightly for Bromsgrove and James Upton fired them ahead with a penalty.

Longton hit back with two unconverted tries to take a 10-3 lead.

Bromsgrove were beginning to look a little flustered as they conceded a string of penalties.

But Longton suffered a setback when Dave Edwards had to be taken to hospital because of injury.

The hosts then had a player sin-binned and Upton pulled the Boars within a point of the lead with a penalty.

In the second half, the away side started impressively and Craig Mortelmans scythed through the Longton back line to feed Ollie Bache, who scored a try.

Upton added the extras to edge Bromsgrove 16-10 ahead.

They were reduced to 14 men when Mortelmans was sin-binned, and Longton scored two more tries to edge the home side back in front.

As the game wore, on Bromsgrove became more dominant, and Critchlow’s return was beginning to tell.

He powered through Longton's defence to touch down, while Upton converted.

The Boars kept up the pressure and when Sam Bastock seemed sure to score, a head-high tackle hauled him down but the referee awarded the away side a penalty try, with Upton added the extras.

As the game was coming to a close, Longton tried to run out of defence, only for their winger to revert to the kicking game.

The impressive Tom Hunt, back in the side from his recent injury, charged down a kick, collected the rebound and went in under the posts for Bromsgrove’s fifth try.

Upton tucked away the conversion to complete a thrilling victory.

Bromsgrove's next game is at home to Shropshire outfit Newport on Saturday, February 13.