A Michael Bishop brace helped Port Saints to all three points with a fiery 3-1 victory over Taree Wildcats at Findlay Park on Saturday.
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Saints took a 1-0 lead to the break before the Wildcats were reduced to 10-men early in the second half.
The red card sparked the visitors into action as they equalised soon after before Travis Pascoe found the back of the net for Saints to restore their lead.
Bishop then converted from the penalty spot in the final 10 minutes, but coach Darrell Pascoe admitted his side didn't get it all their own way.
"The second half was a doozy of a half," he said.
"We probably lost our way a little bit and put ourselves under a lot of pressure for a 20-minute period and then they scored a goal and had us on the ropes, but then we settled."
The coach admitted it was a character-building win for his side after their 2-all draw with Kempsey Saints last weekend.
"I thought the boys' ability to stick through what really was a tussle in that second half was really pleasing," Pascoe said.
"They put a lot of pressure on us in desire, passion and a bit of aggression as well and we stood up to that; it showed a lot of character."
The Premier League has a break next weekend for Easter before Saints hit the road for a clash with Macleay Valley Rangers.
"(The games) only get tougher," Pascoe said.
"MVR are quality and have been for a long period of time and reports are they're even stronger than what they were last year.
"But if we work on a little bit here and there every week and turn that into on-field performances then happy days."
The Tacking Point Tavern player of the match was awarded to Michael Bishop (first grade) and Oliver King (reserve grade).
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