WHEN Tim Cole and Danny Robinson quit as co-managers in October, it appeared that Winchester City’s chances of winning the Sydenhams Premier Division had gone cold.

However, slowly but surely ex-Saints reserves midfielder Paul Masters – assistant to Neil Hards last season – has added steel and backbone to an indisputably talented side who have shown their title credentials with successive away wins at AFC Portchester and leaders Moneyfields.

Director of football Dave Malone was away for both games but, applauding the results on the club messageboard, he said: “I’m really pleased for Paul Masters, Glenn Burnett (assistant) and Jon Mac (McFarlane, coach). They have worked hard at the defensive side of our game and these results have proved their worth.”

Burnett, right-hand man to Ashley Vickers when Blackfield & Langley lifted the 2012/13 Wessex crown, agreed: “We’ve brought in players to add a bit more depth and competition for places. Players are looking over their shoulders a bit more now and we can have more of an impact off the bench.

“We’ve been very pleased with the last two games at Portchester and Moneyfields. The commitment levels are top-drawer.

“Moneyfields is never an easy place to go but, fair play to our boys, they competed for 90 minutes right across the park.”

Manager Masters also senses something special is brewing.

Speaking after the Portchester win, he said: “I feel a lot more confident with the whole squad.

“Off the ball we’re a lot harder to play against, which is pleasing.

“We sat the lads down and explained what we wanted and they’re starting to see where we’re coming from.

“Nothing gets decided at this time of year, but we’ll keep trying to pick up points and see where we are come the end of January.

“I’m confident we’ll be in the mix at the end of the season.”

Had they lost Tuesday’s ‘six-pointer’ at Moneyfields, promotion-hungry City would have been 14 points off title pace.

But now, heading into tomorrow’s home game against Andover Town, the gap on the leaders is down to eight with two games in hand.

“The trip wire is in the next two games – at home to Andover on Saturday and away to Alresford on the 27th,” warned Malone. “They’re really big games – let’s hope we can sustain this run of form!”

Moneyfields, though, are not the only Portsmouth area side City must reel in.

Second-placed Petersfield – home to Newport IoW tomorrow - are going remarkably well in their first season back in the top-flight.

Moneys’ assistant manager Graeme Gee said: “Petersfield are a good, fit, young side and they’ve made some shrewd signings. I wouldn’t rule them out. They may have surprised a few other clubs in this division, but they’ve not surprised me and Miles (Rutherford, Moneys boss).”