New signing Paul Armstrong repaid Walton Casuals boss Spencer Collins’ faith with two goals in back-to-back 1-0 wins that have re-newed hope of avoiding the drop from Ryman League Division One South.

Armstrong pitched up at the Waterside Stadium last week from Potters Bar and struck an 85th minutes winner against bottom side Crowborough Athletic on Saturday before repeating the trick against Burgess Hill Town on Monday night.

The visitors had looked like they would frustrate the Stags at the weekend before Armstrong’s later intervention from the edge of the area, but he didn’t leave it quite as late the second time around.

The win double sees the club move up to 18th in the table and the significance was not lost on boss Spencer Collins.

He said: “We’ve played and beaten two of the sides around us in what’s a very tight league, so obviously we’re delighted.

“We played well enough to win by more in both games, but a win is a win and hopefully now we’re on the up.”

Collins has been busy in the transfer market since taking over the reigns on a permanent basis from predecessor John Morris, with four new faces making an immediate impact.

Centre backs Nick Burton and Francis Duku went straight into the starting line up against Crowborough and have been instrumental in helping the team keep successive clean sheets for the first time this season.

Collins added: “I’m delighted with the new signings and the way they have settled in. It’s always easier when you get two centre halves in that know each others game.

“They have brought experience to a good young side and are just what you need when you’re involved in a relegation dog fight.”

Armstong’s impact, with two goals in two games, has been the icing on the cake, with the club unable to find the back of the net of a regular basis following the departure of Nana Badu in the summer.

Casuals are without an away win since the end of September and have only recorded two all season, but their mini resurgence has come just in time for their trip to near neighbours Kingstonian on Sunday.

And Collins insisted there was much more to come from the new boy.

He said: “Paul’s a goalscorer but there’s much more to his game than that. He’s a workhorse and his runs help bring others into the game.”

Walton’s next three fixtures: Jan 25 Kingstonian (a), Jan 31 Croydon Athletic (h), Feb 7 Godalming Town (a).