BOSS Dave Mogg hailed 17-year-old Charlie Lacey after the midfielder struck a late derby winner against Clevedon Town to lift Yate Town off the bottom of the Southern League Premier and give them a lifeline in their bid for survival.

Following Saturday’s heavy 4-0 defeat at local rivals Gloucester City, anything other than a win at Lodge Road on Easter Monday would surely have condemned Yate to relegation.

With time running out to save their skins and a mounting injury list, Mogg gave youth team player Lacey his chance and watched in delight as he grabbed it with both hands, scoring with five minutes to go to snatch a 2-1 win.

“There’s always a fear of putting youngsters in when you’re struggling and I’ve tried to explain that to them.

“I have had discussions with Paul Dempsey (reserve team manager) about giving Charlie an opportunity and he didn’t disappoint us - I thought he was outstanding.”

Mogg added: “The support I have had from Paul Dempsey has been second to none and the youth guys as well - Gary Powell and Rob Hughes.

“They’ve got the right attitude in terms of developing youngsters and promoting them to the first team.”

Dean Griffiths scored the opener on 32 minutes against Clevedon before Tom Billing levelled terms after 62 minutes.

Yate were also indebted to another youngster, 20-year-old goalkeeper Lee Matthews, who pulled off a string of fine saves to deny fellow strugglers Clevedon.

Although Yate still face an uphill battle to pull themselves out of trouble with at least six points to claw back on those above the drop zone, they now have a glimmer of hope going into Saturday’s home match against Stourbridge.

That is followed by the reverse fixture at Clevedon, who are one place above them in 20th, and two wins from those games could take it to the last day of the season when they visit Cambridge City.

“It’s given us a lifeline but I wish it happened a couple of games ago,” said Mogg.

“We’re looking forward to Stourbridge now, hopefully we can pick up three points and that will give us a further boost.

“We’ve got a lot to do but hopefully other results can go our way. I was trying to avoid going to Cambridge and having to win but that’s three games down the line and could be immaterial if we don’t beat Stourbridge and Clevedon.”

“They are all must win games. It doesn’t matter how we play, it’s all about getting the results.”

Yate have injury doubts over defender Kes Metitiri (knee), Matt Beadle (groin) while captain Scott Brice (cartilage problem) is planning to play through the pain barrier for the rest of the season.