OUTGOING manager Bill Mainwaring was pleased his Thursdays side were able to finish their season on a high - after a dismal run of form saw the title challengers place in mid-table.

Speaking after the 2-1 win, which consigned Ebbw Vale to relegation from the Gwent County Third Division, Mainwaring, pictured right, said: "It was a pleasing result, especially as we didn't have a full side out."

One player Mainwaring did have at his disposal was Martin Bewick, who returned to the side after a near two-month layoff with a hamstring injury.

Though still not 100 percent, he was still able to complete nearly all of the 90 minutes and score the two goals to see off Ebbw Vale on Saturday. The hosts had taken the lead on 40 minutes, but a penalty ten minutes after the re-start made it 1-1. Bewick then fired home the winner from the edge of the box after an initial shot was only half cleared.

Mainwaring added: "He's the missing link in our team and could have carried us in the last few weeks if he had been fit."