Meechan goal beats Corby

ALEX MEECHAN got the only goal of the game to give Colwyn Bay a crucial 1-0 win over bottom four rivals Corby Town today and give their Conference North survival hopes a huge lift.
Their third game unbeaten under Frank Sinclair means they have closed the gap not only on Corby, but on Histon, Boston and Stalybridge Celtic who all lost again today and can be overhauled by the Bay winning their games in hand.
The Seagulls are now four points behind Corby with two games in hand, six behind Histon with four games in hand, and have five games in hand on Boston and Stalybridge who are 10 points and 12 points ahead respectively.
And Sinclair said defiantly: "If we play for the rest of the season like we have in these last three games then we'll finish comfortably above the relegation zone. It won't even be close, because of the number of points that are still left to be played for."
The Bay included new signings Shelton Payne and James Ellison and both did well.
Unfortunately FA of Wales clearance didn't come through in time for Fraser McLachlan to be involved, but he should be available for Tuesday's trip to Harrogate.
The one worry was that Rob Hopley had to come off with a groin injury and could be a doubt for Tuesday.
The only goal today came after 16 minutes when a well-struck free kick from Ellison was turned onto the post by the diving keeper Paul Walker and Meechan crisply scored from the rebound.
Only two excellent one-on-one saves by Walker then prevented Ellison and Meechan adding to the scoreline before half-time.
That made for a nervy second half as Corby started to push forward more and more, but the closet they came to an equaliser was a free kick from Semple which went inches over the bar.
The Bay were denied what looked a clear penalty when Ellison was bundled to the ground and the referee did the home side no favours in the second half, ignoring a number of clear fouls by Corby and awarding the visitors free kicks for the slightest contact.
He then played SIX minutes of added time at the end, even though there had been no injuries.
But the Bay battled superbly, with right back Danny Taylor taking the Man of the Match award and making tremendous penalty area clearance when an equaliser looked on the cards.
With Chris Sanna also making good saves from Avelino Vierira and Ryan Semple, the Seagulls kept their first clean sheet in the league in 25 games - since the 1-0 win at Halifax back in August.
Sinclair added: "The lads have worked their socks off and thoroughly deserved the result.
"I thought we played some brilliant football in the first half, really got at them and was positive and I was disappointed that we only went in at half-time 1-0 up because we have had three great chances.
"If you go in 3-0 up then you can relax a bit more and the nerves are not so much against you.
"We did get a bit nervy second half which can only be expected; one because the pitch is not brilliant and that makes you nervous anyway, and two because of the position we're in.
"It is all about self belief and that is what we have got to get into the boys.
"I said after the game that we've got to believe in ourselves more because we are better than where we are in the league.
"I have to keep drilling into their heads that they are good footballers because if they weren't I'd have got rid of them.
"I believe in them and they have got to start believing in themselves."
He said he has brought in the new signings this week because they are confident players who will help bring more confidence to the squad, and he was delighted with the contributions Payne and Ellison made in their first games.
"Shelton brings real genuine pace that we haven't had at the club for a long time," said the player-boss.
"He's a real danger to defenders. He's got to get up to speed with this league because he has been playing two leagues below, but he'll get that with playing games, and he's going to be a really big player for us.
"I was also chuffed with Jay Ellison. He brings a real presence to the team. He is a big strong lad, intelligent, and he wants to score goals.
"We played him out of position today, but he put in a real shift for me and he showed that he has got goals in him."
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Taylor, Lea, Sinclair, Smyth, Ellison, Evans, Payne (Miley 90mins), Hopley (Gnahoua 70mins), Meechan (Crowther 72mins), Joyce. Subs not used: Lampkin, Byrne.
Attendance: 278.