Chris Plummer: It was a big occasion for the club

Iron assistant manager Chris Plummer was full of praise for the team after a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Brackley Town on a great occasion at Glanford Park on Saturday afternoon.

Jacob Butterfield's 61st minute free-kick sealed a 1-0 success in front of over 5,000 United fans, following an eventful and emotional week in North Lincolnshire which saw new ownership confirmed.

Plummer said: "It was a big occasion for the club. A lot has gone on over the last few weeks, but the fans came out today and it was really important for us as a playing staff, coaching staff and a whole club that we got the three points, and we got them so it was fantastic.

"Brackley are a good side, who are organised with good players and I think they'll be up there this season. They were tough to break down, but we edged the chances, plus the attempts on goal territorially, but it did take something special to get that goal and he (Butterfield) certainly delivered."

First team manager Jimmy Dean wasn't in attendance for the game. After being discharged from hospital earlier this week following urgent spinal surgery, he was re-admitted with an infection, but is now back home recovering.

Dean was with us all in spirit for the afternoon though and kept a close eye on proceedings.

Talking about taking to the sideline without Dean, Plummer added: "It was strange. I did miss a few of his messages that I received during the game but thankfully we made the substitutions he mentioned to us! He's over the moon of course. He watched a stream of the game as it was ongoing and is delighted with three points.

"He's on the mend and it'll be a slow process, but naturally he's happy with the win."

On the back of a big crowd turning out, Plummer stated the importance of continuing on from that and making Glanford Park a fortress in the National League North this term.

He said: "It's crucial. They're the 12th man, from the warm-up all the way to the end of the game they were fantastic today. If we can get that atmosphere every week, it makes a huge difference to the players out there.

"We have our part to play and I said that to the lads before the game - the fans played their part and we had to play our part. There were some good performances out there. It was hard-working and while there are things we could improve on we're delighted with the three points.

"The clean sheet was really pleasing and we defended really well as a team today."

With next weekend's away game at Boston United postponed due to the Pilgrims' involvement in the FA Trophy, United now don't play again until they visit Chester on Saturday October 21st.

Plummer commented: "It falls how it does, but there are things we want to work on. We have a long injury list so hopefully we can get some of the players back involved in the squad to boost what we have. We'll make good use of the two-week break."

He concluded: "It's a rotten Saturday if you lose, but if you win you feel great. I've told the lads to enjoy it but don't get too silly tonight. We'll be back in at work on Monday to work on things we can get better at, but ultimately we go home happy with the three points."