WHARFEDALE coach Tom McGee has praised full back Jamie Guy for a superb kick that secured them a 26-26 draw at Cinderford in a crucial National League One relegation clash.

Flanker Chris Howick's second try – his seventh in eight matches – had given the Greens the chance of a share of the spoils at the death, and Guy nailed the kick from the touchline.

McGee said: "It was about a metre in from the left-hand touchline, and Jamie kicked it out of the mud. He has been a bit in and out recently but it was an outstanding effort,

"But what really surprised me was that there were only 39 minutes on the clock and the referee blew his whistle for full-time.

"We were expecting three or four minutes of injury time and that we would have a chance to win the game."

Nevertheless, McGee was chuffed with his charges in securing the draw which prevented Cinderford from leap-frogging Wharfedale and sending them to the bottom of the pile.

He added: “We needed a response after the Blaydon game, where we were very poor, and I felt we got it.

"Here we were knocking back 20-stone forwards but we didn't have that against Blaydon, and that comes down to mental strength.

"Chris Howick and centre Harry Bullough were outstanding, and Chris Steel was a great example that all of our experienced players set.

"Also having James Doherty back with the group has made a massive difference and will have an impact on the remainder of the season."

McGee added: "Our focus moving into this game was to be positive in our play, defend with urgency and aggression and get the five points.

“We changed a few things around slightly in our preparation by trying to take out some of the tension by going out for a beer

"Although we were a bit loose with the offload on occasion, we created line breaks and opportunities, so I was pleased with our intent.

"We want to play with some tempo, some urgency and take quick tap penalties.

"We scored a couple of cracking tries, and Will Bell's came from a Phil Woodhead break."

Wharfedale, who are now third from bottom, have another key game on Saturday as they are at home to Henley, who have dropped to second from bottom.

McGee said: "Henley like to move the ball around, so it should be a cracking game."