Under-18s manager Pete Haynes praised the way his young side found a way to win their EFL Youth Alliance fixture with Forest Green Rovers at the Nailsworth club's Royal Agricultural University base on Saturday morning.
Goals from Kian Bedford and Liam Atwell secured a 2-1 victory, as the under-18s followed up their recent win over Swindon Town in the same competition with another positive result.
"Naturally we are pleased with the result however both the players and staff agree that we have played far better and especially in the early parts of the season where we played very well and could have turned those performances into results," Haynes said.
"Saturday was an example where even when we don't play very well we're able to grind out a result and defend properly and defend our box.
"That ultimately is a very pleasing thing which shows that all of the challenges the players have had in testing their resilience."
The Robins went a goal down but fought back thanks to Bedford and Atwell's goals. Haynes feels there is plenty still to look at but was pleased that they were able to test the FGR goalkeeper, despite being better without the ball than with it on the day.
"Once again when we go a goal down we're able to regain control of the game and find a way to win even when we're not at our best in possession," he added. "Out of possession I thought we were very good and defended our goal superbly.
"There are lots of things to look at in terms of the actual performance where we can improve and get back to where we were.
"We conceded from a penalty but apart from that the defenders have done their job. Freddie [Lapworth] made two good saves that he had to make and at the other end of the pitch even though we weren't at our best we still hit the bar, forced their 'keeper into a couple of saves, and put pressure on their 'keeper for the winner.
"Even though we didn't use the ball as well as we can, we still had more shots on target than them which shows we are defending better and are still able to find a way to be clinical."
The under-18s are in action against Yeovil Town today in the EFL Youth Alliance.
Second year scholar Lapworth has also joined Southern League Division One Central side North Leigh on loan.
The FA Youth Cup third round clash with Arsenal takes place at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Wednesday 18 December.