Nuneaton completed a fine achievement in beating the drop in their first season in the Conference Premier since promotion as the Midlands side gritted their way through some tough games and at the end took their deserved rewards for a job well done. Kevin Wilkin's side did not look well equipped at the start of the campaign when they were too open at the back and lacked control in midfield. They conceded nine goals in just their first two games and secured just one win in their opening seven games. There was some naivety and lack of know-how around the team and the wobbly defensive displays continued as Woking put six goals past them and kept them in the relegation zone. That loss actually kicked off a run of 12 games without a league win that placed Boro firmly in the relegation zone. Some battling displays during this run were only enough for a point and the team was not really outplayed in any of these games but things were just not falling for them with the lack of experience and belief counting against them. Wilkin was costly juggling with new loan players in search of the right formula but very few players in the squad sustained consistently good displays in these early months of the season. A couple of big home wins against Stockport and Dartford lifted the mood around the place but the Midlands side remained in the drop zone and with a lot of work to do if they were to beat the drop in the second half of the season. However, the manager instilled more defensive discipline in the team as the campaign progressed and finally found an assured and confident keeper in Lee Burge who joined on loan from Coventry. That, along with the captures of Louis Moult and Aaron Phillips, added more depth and quality in the team and Nuneaton started their ascent in the table. The turning point was an absolutely massive 2:1 win away at direct rivals Barrow in mid-February when two goals at the death snatched a win from the jaws of defeat. Suddenly, the players became more confident and resolute, improving hugely their defensive record and keeping a big number of clean sheets from then on for the rest of the season. Last-gasp wins against the likes of Alfreton and Lincoln, also in the mire, plus impressive results against top sides like Luton, Grimsby and Hereford, edged the team above the drop zone and gave them a very good chance of beating the drop. And indeed, a massive 2:0 win away at Gateshead ten days before the end of the season moved them way too far for the chasing pack to get them and they were able to finish the season on a real high, sitting at 15th place at the end which is a reality good achievement for a team of little resources as them.
