HALESOWEN Town boss Paul Smith praised his side's ability to win ugly following victory at Barton Rovers.

The Yeltz returned to winning ways on Tuesday night as strikes from Jamie Molyneux, Montel Gibson and a penalty from Ash Sammons handed them a vital 3-1 success.

The win came on the back of last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against Corby Town when Rob Evans saw red for a poor challenge.

It was the way his side changed tactics to bag all three points that pleased Smith most.

He said: "It was a huge result for us after the Corby game.

"We have had to play two side around us in the league and done well in both games.

"It was only a moment of madness from Rob Evans that has cost us against Corby and put paid to what was a very good performance.

"He's a lad I've had for 18 months and hasn't been a bit of bother. He knows he made a mistake and we just had to make sure we bounced back in the right manner.

"We did that against Barton and we did it by wining ugly, which was the most pleasing part of the victory for me.

"We showed that we have a Plan B as a team and we got the ball back to front a lot quicker and played in a way that we wouldn't normally look to play.

"We showed that we are capable of changing things when we do come up against sides that sit in on an average surface.

"The players are a joy to manage and really listen to what they are told. We have had a problem is ill discipline at times lately and we spoke about that too. There was a chance that could have come out again in the Barton game but we managed that side of things as well.

"The fact this side is striving to be better shows all you need to know.

"We aren't the finished article just yet and we still have a few things we need to polish. This side will only get better."

Halesowen now face Stratford Town at home in the FA Cup this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

"We are at home but we are huge underdogs," added Smith. "We may have beat them recently but it'll be two very different teams that get put out this weekend and I think this is our toughest test of the season so far.

"Hopefully the fans can really get behind us again."

Rob Evans will be suspended for the clash but Reece Hewitt returns.

Brad Cantlow, Lewis Wright and Ethan Jones all all back in the mix after injury and absence.