SELBY TOWN must look to finish at least in the top eight of Northern Counties East League division one after their 3-1 win in midweek against Yorkshire Amateur, according to manager Dave Ricardo.

The Robins, who are without a game tomorrow, have been inconsistent of late but responded to a heavy defeat at Hemsworth Miners Welfare last weekend with a deserved victory at Flaxley Road on Tuesday night.

Luke Thompson continued his rich vein of form with a well-taken opener after 23 minutes, which was cancelled out by Thomas Rose’s stabbed shot ten minutes later.

The home side should have taken the lead before the break when Chris Jackson’s header struck the underside of the bar. They edged in front on the hour mark, though, as Danny Bunch converted substitute Nathan Perks’ fine cross, before crowd favourite Bunch powered home his second - a close-range effort that sealed the win.

Ricardo was happy with his side’s reaction, saying: “We’re pleased with the result, especially after Saturday.

“In terms of quality, we played some good stuff, but going forward we should accumulate more goals in matches such as those, because we opened them up time and time again.”

Ricardo gave centre-half Grant Bulmer his debut and he formed Town’s 13th central defensive partnership of the season alongside Will Ramsey.

Ricardo praised the performance of Bulmer, signed from Dunnington, adding: “It’s taken me a long time to get Grant. He was excellent, probably one of the top three players on the pitch. He was composed in the air, won his tackles, did what defenders should do.”

The former Beverley Town boss left skipper Dane Mortimer out of the side against Yorkshire Amateur, a move to protect the player after a poor run of form.

“I took Dane out of the firing line” he explained. “He’s been outstanding for us for two years, really. For the last two or three games his confidence and form just has been the lowest it’s ever been.

“It’s not a criticism, it’s just one of those things. I just looked after him and took him out of the firing line.”

Selby have immediately reacted to their last three defeats with victories, but Ricardo is looking for consistency in his side as they look to break into the top eight.

“At this stage, you are where you should be, you can’t be unlucky at this stage," he said. "I’d like to think we could be eight or ten points better off by now though. I would be hopeful of top eight minimum.”