PHIL Woodhead has been singled out for special praise after putting his injury problems aside and playing a key part in helping lift Wharfedale off the bottom of National League One.

The gritty scrum half came into the side that won 16-15 at Hull Ionians when Will Bell was ruled out by a back spasm.

After seeing his side end a depressing run of seven-successive defeats, coach Tom McGee saluted Woodhead for his contribution.

“Woody has had a couple of injury-ravaged seasons. He has been suffering from knee problems and hasn’t done anything for three or four months,” said McGee.

“After just three training sessions he came into the side when Will Bell suffered a back spasm and was outstanding.

“He made a huge difference to us and he got through the entire 80 minutes. I asked him at half-time how he was feeling and he told me he would last the game.

“He epitomised the spirit that is required in the situation we are in. He had an influence on all the lads around him and it is really good having him back in the side at a time when we still have 21 first-team squad players on the sidelines injured or unavailable,” he added.

Reflecting on his side’s performance, McGee said: “We weren’t too far away against Plymouth so I am delighted for the guys. They put a lot into the match. It was a bit feisty at times but they did what we needed to do to win the game.

Looking forward to Saturday’s home game with Fylde, their last game before the Christmas break, McGee expects his team to go into battle with confidence.

He said: “There should be a big crowd and the win over Hull Ionians will have lifted the players. It would be good to end 2015 on a high.

“We are aware that the wet and windy conditions we have experienced for the past five or six games are likely to be present again.

“At least we have had plenty of experience playing in the wind and rain so it shouldn’t come as a surprise. I am looking for us to have a real go at Fylde and it is important we maintain our level of performance throughout the 80 minutes.”