Boss Kim Harris may have missed Corinthian Casuals’ crucial midweek win
at bottom-club Three Bridges, but it turned out he was not needed as his team drew inspiration from an unlikely source.
 

Casuals, minus their manager due to health reasons, came from 1-0 down to triumph 2-1 last Tuesday thanks to goals from James Cottee and Joe Hicks.
 

The late cancellation of Sussex-based League One side Crawley Town’s home clash with Preston North End meant more than 40 frustrated Lancastrians took the chance to cheer Harris’s men on to the points.
 

The win was even more significant given Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Walton & Hersham four days later and the former Kingstonian boss, who was absent from the dugout in Sussex having been in hospital for an operation earlier in the day, could not have been more appreciative.
 

“I wasn’t there, but apparently there was quite a big crowd because the Crawley game was called off at the last minute,” he said.
 

“Tony Davies, Luke Garrard, Paul Stewart and Bryan Adamson – who looked after the team for me brilliantly – said there were loads of Preston fans cheering us on.
 

“And with the Crawley fans cheering for Three Bridges it was a great atmosphere, which helped us. I don’t worry about the League, but it was a big win for us.”
 

Harris may yet need a more serious operation, but until then he is looking forward to his side’s perennial battle against the Ryman Division One South drop with relish.
 

“I’m really looking forward to the second half of the season,” he added.
 

“We’ve got kids at the back. The average age is 21 and with so little experience they are doing a fantastic job.
 

“Young James Cottee is only 19 years old, but he is top draw. He went off to Met Police for a contract, but has come back to us because he wasn’t getting a game.”