Eastbourne Borough manager Garry Wilson told his players to enjoy their Christmas party after watching them after secure three comfortable points

The players attended a karaoke and curry evening at Priory Lane in good heart after a hard-working win on a dark and depressingly wet day at Priory Lane.

Wilson said: "There is nothing worse than having the Christmas party after a defeat.

"They deserve the party. They have had a good first half of the season and have done themselves proud so I told them to have a good night and I would see them for training on Monday. The faces fell when I said that."

Victory moved Borough fifth in the Dr Martens eastern division table and keeps them in touch with the leaders.

The karaoke night was probably more inspiring than the manner of victory which was achieved with first-half goals by young striker Mark Goodwin and veteran defender Stuart Tuck.

Wilson admitted: "It was not a great performance but it was solid. Over the 90 minutes they did not create a chance.

"It was an unusual performance from us but not one I mind every now and again.

"Usually we dominate the possession at Priory Lane and take the game to the visitors but there have been games we have dominated, created chance after chance and not scored.

"We hardly had any chances and took them when they counted. I am pleased with that. It's three valuable points for us as I thought this would be a tough game."

Wilson watched Ashford in midweek when they lost 2-1 to Crawley in the Dr Martens League Cup, a match that ended with a 22-man brawl.

Except for a brief flurry at the start, Ashford failed to live up to Wilson's expectations. He said: "Maybe their game against Crawley the other night took something out of them as it was hammer and tongs throughout and there was the brawl at the end."

Turning possession into chances has been Borough's problem this season but Goodwin had an impressive match as a replacement for ex-Albion striker Scott Ramsay, who was ruled out with a one-match ban.

Goodwin has a reputation as a super-sub, having scored vital goals coming off the bench. However, he did his chances of keeping his starting place no harm with a lively performance up front alongside the ineffective Dave Adams.

Goodwin gave Borough the lead on 18 minutes when he latched onto Darren Baker's pass from the back and calmly lobbed the ball over the advancing John Whitehouse as Ashford defenders closed around him.

The second goal on 40 minutes was straight off the training ground after Wilson's spying trip to watch the visitors in midweek.

Wilson spotted Ashford failed to defend the far post at corners and they were made to pay as Darren Pearce's deep flagkick was headed home by Tuck, although the ball took a deflection off Peter Mortley's legs on the way in.

Tuck, the former Albion defender, claimed the goal, the sponsors' man-of-the-match champagne and said Borough are on track for a stab at promotion.

He said: "We are going in the right direction after a few slips. We must take each game as it comes but we are back in the promotion picture and we shall have to see where we are after Christmas."

Forward Ramsay will be back for the Boxing Day game with St Leonards but Wilson was hoping to talk to Saints captain and striker Peter Baker about a move to Priory Lane.

Wilson said: "Baker is a player I have admired for a long time and he would fit in well here. I am optimistic he will join us."

Borough: Lightwood, Baker, Tuck, Smart, Price, Adams (Harrison 85), Westcott, Pearce, Goodwin, Crabb (Morgan 87), Ducille. Subs not used: Stevens, Stark.

Ashford: Whitehouse, Anderson, O'Leary, Mortley (Hassett 63), Gibbs, Ross, Saunders, Gardner (Hill 45), McRobert (Skinner 72), Stone, Elliott. Subs not used: Lee, White.

Man of the match: Mark Goodwin.

Attendance: 524.