Potters Bar Town had a new man in charge for the win over Bowers & Pitsea - although it is not a permanent change at the top.

With Max Mitchell unavailable, midfielder Leigh Rose took his seat in the dug-out and guided the Scholars to a 1-0 success in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Steve Cawley got the only goal inside the first minute, getting on the end of a Thomas Avgoustidis cross, to lift the Bar up the table and into sixth.

Leigh Rose took temporary charge of Potters Bar Town in Max Mitchell's absence. Picture: MANDY DAVIESLeigh Rose took temporary charge of Potters Bar Town in Max Mitchell's absence. Picture: MANDY DAVIES (Image: Mandy Davies)

"It was stressful," admitted the temporary boss. "The last 10 to 15 minutes were a bit nervy, they had us under the cosh.

"But the boys were unreal and the effort was a joke. Three points, another clean sheet and we're climbing the table.

"At the end of the game, there is no better result than a 1-0 win but during it is a horrible score.

"But that is testament to the work-rate and energy of the players. It should have been by more if you think about it but it was a quality game."

The game was also marked by the return of Brandon Adams to the fray, coming off the bench for his first game of the season.

And Rose believes that is just one part of why things are looking up for the club. 

"It was good to see Brandon back on the pitch," said Rose, "and you could see how strong the bench was. 

"The squad is looking better as the players come back from injury and we've still got the likes of Ryan Hervel and Joe Re to come back in.

"We're in a really good place now ahead of a week's rest. I don't think we can ask for much better really.

"We'll take it game by game and week by week but if we can stay around this position after the next month and then the month after that and then into Christmas, who knows?"

For himself, he would rather be on the field than commanding off it, injury though has already ruled him out of the campaign.

To that end, he is content to play a small part in the team's performance.

"It's a long road," he admitted. "I've got surgery in a couple of weeks but I feel alright and I'm just happy to be able to do something while I'm not playing."