STEVE Tilson said he was pleased with how his side responded to a half-time “moan” as they upped their game to give him a debut win as the new Canvey boss.

It was goalless in their match at Wingate & Finchley on Saturday following a poor quality opening 45 minutes from both sides in the searing heat.

But the Gulls were much improved after the restart, and a goal from the prolific Bradley Woods-Garness gave them a 1-0 win, and Tilson felt they could have won by more.

“It’s a good start and I’m happy with how hard they worked,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s vital to win your first game but it does instill a bit of belief in the camp.

“In the second half we stepped it up and we could have won by two or three.

“It was not what I wanted in the first half and I had a little moan at them at half-time, but not too much.

“And I got a fantastic reaction after a lacklustre display in the first-half.”

But Concord manager Danny Cowley did not get the half-time response he will have demanded from his side, as they trailed 2-1 at home to newly-promoted Bognor Regis Town.

The Beachboys eventually lost 3-1, and now face a tough trip to Suffolk tomorrow to face a Lowestoft Town side who are expected to challenge for the title this season.