Welwyn Garden City manager Marc Weatherstone hailed a superb defensive performance to seal a second straight win in the Southern League.

Goals from Bailey Stevenson and Brad Wadkins saw them come from a goal down to beat Real Bedford 2-1 away from Herns Lane.

Much is expected of the ambitious and cash rich hosts, among the favourites to be challenging for the Division One Central title, which perhaps gave the City boss a boost to his already elevated delight.

"I'm really happy with this result," said the boss on Twitter. "The first half defensive shape was up there with the best I’ve seen since I’ve taken charge.

"The boys stuck to a game plan and got their rewards. Possession doesn’t win you games.

"Bedford won’t be an easy place to get results at [so this is a] great three points."

The game had been brought forward from October due to the early exit both side's had in this year's FA Cup.

And while they missing goalkeeper Donnabhan Green, out with a bruised leg and meaning a debut for summer signing Harold Poku, they could finally call on another new boy, Ryan Sellers back in contention after Achilles trouble.

After a quiet opening, it was Real’s dangerously quick winger Josh Setchell, who provided the first threat, latching onto a long goal kick to shoot over.

WGC response was a blocked shot from Wadkins but Bedford began to take control through the first period.

Ben Stevens was denied by Poku when through one one one while it needed some last-ditch defending from Jack Green and Sellers to keep the game scoreless.

But while WGC were a shade fortunate to get to half-time at 0-0, they fell behind 10 minutes into the second half.

Almost predictably it came from a Setchell right-wing run who got by Ryan Kirwan and Sellers to pull back a low cross.

Two efforts were blocked but a third from the late arriving Isaac Galliford forced it home.

Evans should have made it 2-0 moments later but skied his effort over from close range and from there, the WGC recovery began.

Henry Jones bustled past three defenders but couldn't keep his shot down while the substitute then had an acrobatic volley go just over.

And with 18 minutes to go, they were back level.

Jack Vasey swung a fine pass out to the raiding Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo, a former Southampton junior, down the right.

He got around the back of the Bedford defence and pulled back a low cross that Wadkins struck firmly into the far corner.

Stevenson could have put them in front before he did, three minutes after the equaliser.

A long clearance from the outstanding Green, had Stevenson racing through again and this time he got his head on the bouncing ball, lifting it over the keeper and in.

From that point, it was a case of the Citizens defending what they had and they did that in fine style, denying the home side little opportunity to level the scores in the closing stages.

Further good news for the Citizens will be the return of suspended pair Aiden Read and Harvey Steel, in time for a trip to another of the title favourites, Berkhamsted.

WGC: Poku, Otseh-Taiwo, Ejjayha, Green, Sellers, Bryant (Kirwan 46, Harris 75), McDonald, Croucher (Jones 56), Vasey (Crilley 85), Wadkins, Stevenson.