The Hoops picked up their first Vanarama National League North victory of the campaign at the eighth attempt as they won 3-0 at home to Needham Market.

Josh Parker gave City the lead midway through the first half when he headed in Josh Ashby’s cross, with the advantage doubled six minutes later when Zac McEachran squared the ball for Reece Fleet to slot into an unguarded net.

McEachran scored the pick of the bunch 25 minutes into the second period, sending a wonderful dipping strike into the top corner from outside the box.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Dan Morphew was sent off.

READ ALSO: Our player ratings after Oxford United lose at Bristol City

Hoops manager Cox said: “I’m very pleased, I’m delighted for the boys. We saw a side to the boys which we haven’t seen so far this season.

“The most pleasing thing is knowing that in times of adversity and the setbacks we’ve had in the last six weeks, we’ve had clear messages since Tuesday night and the boys have taken those messages on board.

“We asked them to fight. It’s quite easily the case in times of adversity where boys possibly might play with nerves or down tools, but they’ve all backed myself and my staff. That’s the most pleasing thing for me.

“We’ll enjoy this. A clean sheet is very pleasing, and I thought we were dominant, so I’m very pleased.”

He added: “We went to a more mid-block, but I though the organisation was spot on. Defensively, I thought we looked solid. I don’t think we gave them many chances.

“We tried to force them wide, and when they put deliveries into our box, we were dominant. Praise must go to those back players, but I thought we defended well as an XI.”