Royston Town's troubles through October and November are now firmly behind them after a fifth Southern League Premier Division Central game unbeaten.

The Crows had suffered seven losses in eight matches, the other being a draw, as their form plummeted over that period.

But from the middle of December onwards it has been a different story and a 2-1, come-from-behind success at home to AFC Sudbury, their fourth win in that five-game sequence, has lifted them up to 13th.

Jay Mitchell stood in on post-match duties with manager Chris Watters suffering from a tooth infection and he was pleased to see how the team coped with going a goal down.

He said: "It was an eventful game and neither team wanted to lose. It was quite even but we did enough to win it.

"The first-half chances fell better for us and on another day we could easily have been 3-0 up at half-time.

"The crosses from Damaray [Anyadike] were there but unfortunately we just couldn't finish.

"It could have been one of those days.

"Going a goal down [Romario Dunne scoring on 53 minutes], we had to look at the shape and look at how we were going to get back into the game.

"We needed them to relax, there was still a long way to go, and the lads instinctively wanted to perform better.

"They wanted to get the ball up the field quickly but that sometimes affects quality.

"Chris was saying we needed to clam down and be patient and get the quality back into our passing and our deliveries into the box."

Substitute Fabio Virciglio had got Royston back on level terms after 75 minutes, 14 minutes after replacing Charlie Johnson, his second goal in two games.

Royston Crow: Josh Coldicott-Stevens got the winner for Royston against AFC Sudbury. Picture: PETER SHORTJosh Coldicott-Stevens got the winner for Royston against AFC Sudbury. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

Josh Coldicott-Stevens then won it for the Crows with a wonderful finish four minutes later.

Mitchell now believes they can go to Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday full of confidence.

"The momentum is there now," he said. "We had a hard time and had to dust ourselves down a lot of times.

"Now, we are on a run and we need to keep the run going.

"We move into Saturday with the momentum that comes with a good run."

Royston have also confirmed that Tom Newman has opted to leave the club in search of regular football.

He originally joined the Crows in the summer of 2018 and apart from a short spell in Spain last season, the popular squad member has been at Garden Walk ever since.

Speaking on the club website, Watters said: "Tom’s a great lad and we really didn’t want to see him leave but I fully understand his desire to get regular game time.

"There’s no doubt he will be a great asset to any squad.

"Myself and everyone at the club wish him all the best and he knows that he is welcome back here anytime."

Royston's women completed a perfect weekend for the club with a 3-1 win away to Needham Market in Eastern Region Premier Division.

Emma Slater got two and Poppy Smith with the Crows now fourth.

They go to Wroxham on Sunday, the side directly above them in the standings.