Lakeland hails "phenomenal achievement" after 1-0 victory at Woking

A bizarre own goal late in the game saw The Shaymen secure eighth place in the National League.

"Delighted we've won, and I felt we deserved it," said Lakeland.

"It had a bit of a last game of the season feel to it in the first-half but I thought we played incredibly well for the first 10 minutes of the second-half and should have been ahead but for our execution and decision-making, which wasn't quite what it needed to be.

"But the lads kept going, we were defensively pretty solid in the main and if you work hard and don't give up on things, then you get that reward and we got that with the own goal.

"I'm just so proud of the players and the staff, the players especially as they're the ones that go out on the pitch week after week.

"We had a really difficult afternoon last Saturday and it's been really important to us that we got that 20th win, which is the first time since 2021 that Halifax have won 20 league games.

"And we've done it with a load of lads who haven't played at this level before.

"It's only the second time we've done that in the last nine years, so it's a phenomenal achievement.

"In most seasons gone by, 70 points is enough to get you in the play-offs and I'm just gutted for everybody that it's not been enough, but Forest Green have finished in seventh on 81 points and when you think what they've got to work with compared to us, there's absolutely no shame in us finishing eighth behind some of those giant clubs.

"I'm just immensely proud we've managed to secure eighth - we have been the best of the rest. 20 wins, 70 points, so much progression in individuals and the team's been fantastic all season.

"That's five away clean sheets in a row, so many things to be proud of."

Lakeland said there was a real determination to finish the season on a high.

"We've stressed that we want to win that 20th game, want to get to 70 points and there was a massive deflation after the result last week and the way we performed because it wasn't a reflection of what we've been all season," he said.

"But we#'ve stuck together this week, as we always do, and it would have been so easy to toss it off, travel down here, baking hot day, last game of the season and down tools, not be professional and not get the win.

"But that epitomises what a group of people we've put together this year and I'm incredibly proud of them all."

On the remarkable own goal that decided the game, Lakeland said: "I don't care how we score or how we win, but I want to win and we've won a lot this year.

"We've got a lot to learn and a lot of improving to do on and off the pitch, to bridge that gap of 11 points to those clubs above us, wuth what we have to work with, is so difficult to do, but hopefully we've proven we're capable.

"When we came in, people were saying we were one of the favourites for relegation, I wasn't capable at this level, inexperienced, the players stepping up weren't capable.

"They're eating their words now and hopefully there'll be that support there now for us to kick on next year."

The Town boss also praised the club's fans.

"They've been magnificent, especially away from home," he said.

"It always surprises me, the numbers we take away from home, going to the likes of Truro, miles away.

"I'm just so grateful for the support all season, not just for myself and |Sam and the rest of the staff, but especially for the players.

"I think we've given them real belief this year and I think they've realy enjoyed watching their team play this year, we've scored lots of goals, we've been entertaining and they've seen the team win a hell of a lot more than they've seen it lose.

"Incredibly thankful and grateful for their support and look forward to seeing them next time."

Forward Jamie Cooke made his return to action in the game after a long injury lay-off.

"He's trained the last two weeks, it's been a real long season for him, so difficult being out injured but he's the ultimate professional and he's a great lad," said Lakeland, who confirmed Will Smith's injury late in the game was nothing serious.

"He's trained brilliantly the last two weeks so he deserved to be in the squad and it was nice to get him on the pitch.

"Hopefully he can manage his situation now and get back on the pitch more frequently."