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James Daly’s two goals against Sutton United have done enough to earn him a place in the league sponsor’s Enterprise team of the midweek.

Penalty hero Brett McGavin hailed the spirit of Yeovil Town’s players as they grabbed a dramatic late victory to claim three vital points with a 3-2 win over Sutton United at Huish Park.

The midfielder, who arrived as an 80th minute substitute, stepped up to hammer home a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time at the end of the game and seal a win which puts eight points between the Glovers and the National League relegation zone.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, McGavin said: “We don’t do quiet nights here, do we? We always try to make it difficult for ourselves, but the lads showed great spirit this afternoon and we’re all buzzing for them.

“When it’s like that in the last minute there’s only one thing on my mind, just head down, hit the target. I’m not a fan of penalties that just stutter and try and play with the keeper, I just get your head down and strike through the ball, so that’s what I done.”

Going in to second half stoppage time it looked like Yeovil were going to stretch their run without a win to five matches with Sutton having come from 1-0 down to lead, before James Daly was popped up inside the box to grab an equaliser with five minutes of the seven added on gone.

Then, with Huish Park celebrating snatching a point from the jaws of victory, Tahvon Campbell went down inside the box and McGavin was the coolest man in the stadium as he hammered home the winner.

Having started the day five points and one place about the relegation zone, the three points move the Glovers up to 17th place with an eight point cushion going in to the weekend’s FA Trophy quarter-final at Southport on Saturday.

Asked about the significance of the win, McGavin said: “It’s massive. We could go all day about the turbulent season, but you can only deal with what’s in front of you and that’s what we’ve done tonight. So, massive win for everyone. We have been on terrible run there is no hiding it, but that is massive for us and we’re buzzing.

“Like I said, we make it hard for ourselves. the relief is just as good as the feeling of winning, it’s just such a good feeling to come away with three points and we are all happy for that.“

The match-winner was full of praise for two-goal hero Daly who started the match as the central striker of a front three alongside Harvey Greenslade and Terrell Works.

He popped up with the opening goal after Luke McCormick’s poor penalty was saved with four minutes of the first half remaining before arriving in the box to smash home the equaliser in stoppage time.

On Daly, McGavin said: “What an animal. He is an incredible athlete and a brilliant footballer, but on top of everything else he’s a great human being. Trains his best, plays his best like that, runs his socks off for this club, so I’m so happy for him.“

Yeovil Town goalkeeper Jed Ward has said that every game between now at the end of the season is a big game as the team look for league and cup success.
Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset’s Josh Perkins, he said he’s loved his time at Huish Park.

I’ve loved my time here. Like I say in every interview, the lads here are unbelievable. I knew a lot of them. Everyone who comes in slots in nicely. I think the management staff are great, welcoming the new lads in and also getting us sort of fit together. It’s been great.

I’ve just done what I’ve been told, really. I’m really loving doing everything I can to help the team out, whether that’s saving shots, coming for crosses, playing out, all that sort of stuff is which what I love doing. And when I love doing something, I’m obviously going to play to my best ability. So yeah, I really am enjoying it.

On Wednesday’s game;

“I think every game from now until the end of the season is massive, I think everyone’s got to have a sort of, motivation until the end of the season. Whether that’s personally or whether that’s as a team, I think everyone’s got to be motivated as a team together and then people can find their intrinsic motivation to do with their personal stuff. But I think if we all stick together, get going as a group, we can pick up some great results.

I think we were a different team then [vs Sutton in September] and they were, as far as I’m aware, were a different team then. So I think it’s going to be a completely different game, a lot like most of the games this season in the reverse fixtures. But I think it’ll be a good game, two good sides in positions where they need every point that they can get. So I think it’s going to be a great test for us.”

“I think we’re very good at not letting things get us down and not letting things get us up. I think we’re very level-headed as a group. I think as of late results haven’t really gone our way and we’re as much to blame as everything else. But I think if we keep sticking together, stay level-headed. If we lose, we lose, if we win, we win, but we’ve got to keep, like I say, level-headed and keep going.”

Against Carlisle, Ward followed in the footsteps of the likes of Nathan Baxter, Grant Smith and Aidan Stone as goalkeepers to wear the captain’s armband when Luke McCormick went off towards the end.

“Yeah, it’s a feeling you can’t describe. Macca shouted my name, came over and it just means a lot to me that people respect me and see me as someone that they can look up to onto the pitch. I am quite young but I’m learning that sort of side of the game as well and it’s amazing for me to be recognised by like Macca and yeah, put the armband on.”

… and as for what happens next season, would Jed Ward consider a longer spell with the Glovers?

“Well, the future, I can’t predict. So, we’ll have to see what happens. Right now we’ve got a, a task on our hands which is getting as many points as possible and keeping, um, keeping this football club in the division”

… so you’re saying there’s a chance?