STOURBRIDGE manager Gary Hackett heaped praise on his defence after this week’s vital victory over Salford City.

The Glassboys gave their promotion hopes a much-needed shot in the arm with a 1-0 win against ten-man Salford at Moor Lane on Tuesday night.

Stour downed the hosts — famously well backed by former Manchester United teammates Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs — thanks to a 68th-minute strike from Justin Richards.

The Ammies were hampered by the dismissal of striker Jordan Hulme midway through the first half for a two-footed lunge on goalkeeper Charlie Price.

The win followed last Saturday’s 1-0 victory over National League side Braintree, sealing a place in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.

Hackett is pleased with consecutive clean sheets. He said: “The defence and Charlie (Price) have all come under scrutiny at times this season, so I’m delighted for them all.

“We have defended well in the last two games and that gave us the base to go on and win.

“The defence has been together for a large part of the season now and it was pleasing to see them do so well.

"There have been times when we have conceded too easily but now they have shown how good they are.

“We are not a side that likes to sit back. I want to play attacking football and that will always put pressure on the defenders at times.

"They have to stand up to that and that is exactly what they did at Braintree and Salford.

“The whole side has done very well especially after I chose to field the same team.

"They had a hard game on Saturday on a heavy pitch so had to dig deep at times against Salford.”

The manager has now underlined the importance of backing up the Salford success when they welcome Skelmersdale United to the War Memorial Ground this Saturday.

“We have showed we can compete with the best sides in this division but the emphasis now turns to picking up points that people expect us to,” added Hackett.

“At times we have flattered to deceive at home this season and have paid the price. There are a lot of dangerous teams in this league that will hurt you if you take them lightly.

"We must now make sure we beat Skelmersdale to really get us where we want to be.”

The Glassboys have been drawn away against Bradford Park Avenue or Nantwich Town in the third round of the FA Trophy.

STOUR are now just four games away from Wembley after Saturday’s 1-0 away win at Braintree saw Gary Hackett’s men add another scalp to their list of giant killings this season.

Matt Dodd hit the only goal of the game in the 56th minute.

Meanwhile, they have now finalised their move for Worcester’s Ashley Vincent.

Oldbury-born Vincent, 30, is able to play as a striker or on the wing. He joined City last summer from Shrewsbury Town, with whom he spent the 2014/15 season.

He came through Wolves' youth system before joining Cheltenham in May 2004.

He spent five years with the Robins, making over 100 appearances, and was part of the team that won the 2006 League Two play-off final.

Loan moves to Aldershot Town and Colchester United followed, before he signed permanently for the Essex club in 2009. He then moved on to Port Vale in 2012, and was a member of the squad that won promotion from League Two at the end of the 2012/13 season, as well as winning the League Two Player of the Month for October 2012.

He returned to Cheltenham for the 2013/14 season, before moving on to Shrewsbury twelve months later.

Stour have had several league games rearranged due to their cup runs. They will welcome Marine on February 1 (7.45 pm) and then, subject to an FA Trophy replay, will travel to Grantham on February 9. They will then host Ashton United on March 7.