REDHILL boss Mike Maher says his side's victory against local rivals Lingfield on Tuesday was "just what the doctor ordered" after dropping two points at home against Lancing.
The Lobsters were left disappointed on Saturday as Lancing struck late on to claim a 3-3 draw, despite goals from Joe Bingham, Niall Egan and Tyrone Pink seemingly putting the hosts on course for victory.
But Maher said he was pleased with the response of his players on Tuesday night, with Redhill coming from behind to thrash their rivals in a dominant display.
Gavin Gordon scored twice, with Lee Radford and Chris Gregson also on target as the Reds moved up to fourth in the table, and still with games in hand on both Hassocks and Ringmer above them.
And Maher said he was thrilled with his side's position with 16 games to go this season.
"If someone had offered me 53 points at this stage of the season, I would definitely have taken that," he said.
"We just have to keep winning and see where it takes us. We know that if we play near our potential we are capable of beating anyone and hopefully other results will go our way."
It did not start well for the Reds on Tuesday though, with Glen Boosey giving the visitors the lead with a neat low finish from the edge of the box on six minutes. A penalty seven minutes later gave Gordon the chance to level the scores and the striker took it at the second attempt, after his initial effort was saved by Lingfield's stand-in keeper Danny Oakins.
The goal seemed to settle the Reds, who began to get into a rythym, dominating possession and territory, testing Oakins with a couple of shots from distance.
And their dominance was rewarded on the half-hour mark, with Radford tucking home at the far post after good work down the right from Josh Bonnet.
The Reds should have put the game out of sight early in the second half, but Gordon squandered two good opportunities and Jon Difford failed to connect with a dangerous looking ball into the box.
A third goal did give them some breathing space though, with Radford crossing for Gordon to crash the ball home on 64 minutes.
Fred Fleming's dismissal effectively ended Lingfield's hopes of a comeback, while Redhill continued to push for further goals, with several chances going begging.
Gregson did, however, get the goal his display merited late on, before Lingfield substitute Nicky Davies was sent off to complete the visitors' misery.
Maher, on the other hand, was a happy man, adding that his side could and should have won more comfortably.
"It was just what the doctor ordered," he said.
"I don't feel like we had to come out of third gear to win the game and it could have been eight or nine in truth.
"But it is nice to get one over the local rivals and the result showed our class."
Maher added that he hoped his side could continue where they left off when they travel to Shoreham on Saturday.
