TIVIDALE edged out of the bottom three for the first time this season with a fine 4-1 victory over St Andrews.

A brace from Charles Walker and strikes from Craig Stevens and Jamie Hunt handed Tivi a much-needed three points as they continued to recover from their early-season struggles in the Midland Football League's Premier Division.

The victory pleased Dale boss Dave King who thinks his side are now playing their best football of the campaign.

He said: "It was a really great win for us, especially because we had six or seven players missing that featured in the last game against Westfields.

"We had Charles Walker playing with a broken wrist and had to bring others into the side that might not have been first choices. But they came in and did brilliantly and certainly showed me what options I have.

"I think we must be playing our best football of the season now. We have done well before but now we're starting to pick up results.

"There really are no easy games at this level so to win 4-1 away from home highlights the progress we have made recently.

"We now want to keep that going now we've moved out of the bottom three for the first time."

Tivi are due to go to Coventry United tonight before hosting Sporting Khalsa at the Beeches this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Worcester City loanee Joe Bates has now returned to his parent club but King says he is on the lookout to bring another player in this week.

The manager is also calling on fans to come out in force to support his side this Saturday.

He added: "It would be great if our fans could come out and support us. It is a big game at home Saturday against Khalsa and it would be good to get more people in the ground to get behind the team.

"We are doing well at the moment, playing some good football, so now really is the time to come down and see how we're progressing as a side."