PAUL Carden says he was pleased with how his side turned their performance around after half time in today's victory over Barwell.

Jamie McDonald scored twice after the hour mark to give earn Yellows a 2-0 victory at Cantilever Park to keep them in second place.

Report: Yellows 2 Barwell 0

However, Carden was disappointed with his side's first-half showing but said they were "worthy winners" in the end.

"We can’t afford to not be at it in the first 45 minutes, though, because teams will take advantage," he said.

"The second half did please me as I don’t think we turned up in the first half. We didn’t play as we usually do.

"Whether that’s to do with not playing too many games recently I’m not too sure but I thought we ended up worthy winners in the second half.

"Once we scored, there was only going to be one team that came out on top.

"Without sounding arrogant, it was comfortable."

Carden revealed what he said to his players in the dressing room at half time in order to take control of the game.

"Whenever we play well and get good results, we always have a good shape. In the first half, we were way too open," he said.

"We play 4-4-2 and with that, we have to be compact as you get teams like Barwell today, who play 4-2-3-1 and can play around you if you’re not careful.

"That was what was happening in the first half. They didn’t really hurt us but they got a good foothold in the game.

"In the second half, we were a lot more compact. We had shorter pass options and we quickened the tempo in attack."

McDonald stole the show after the break, but Town were indebted to on-loan keeper Luke Pilling for the game being goalless at the break.

He made a superb reaction save to deny Brady Hickey before setting up McDonald's second goal with a measured long pass.

Carden praised both players and said "the real Jamie McDonald" was back again.

"It’s a great save from Pill. He gets an assist for the second goal as well," he said.

"People are looking at it and will say the keeper has hoofed it up the field. He hasn’t, it was a superb pass.

"There’s always an intent to where he’s going to put the ball.

"I think we’re starting to see the real Jamie again. He’s back.

"He’s been a little bit indifferent of late but he’s the type of player you want to persist with because you know what he can do.

"He got his reward today with two great finishes on his weaker foot."