NOT many of AFC Totton’s young squad got to meet the club’s inspirational former chairman Andy Straker.

But following Saturday morning’s heartbreaking news that Andy had passed away, aged just 51, after nearly two years battling a brain tumour, they delivered a victory that would have made him truly proud.

After falling behind to a 37th-minute Troy Simpson strike against Evo-Stik South West play-off rivals Bristol Manor Farm, Totton lifted the mood with three goals in the last 20 minutes to seal a memorable 3-1 home win.

Charlie Gunson stylishly rounded off a sweet passing move to make it 1-1 on 70 minutes before Craig Feeney played in Tony Lee to confidently sweep the Stags ahead.

Totton’s third was scrappy as Callum Chugg forced the ball home amid a scramble from Toby Adekunle’s corner, but no matter.

The emphatic scoreline was a fitting tribute to Andy whose strong leadership helped pull the club out of a financial mire when he took the helm in 2013.

“A lot of our players didn’t know Andy, but the older guard did and, more so, all the volunteers around the place. This result helped them on a difficult day,” said manager Louis Langdown.

“Also, we had loads of children in from local schools, so we had to be upbeat and get a result after the disappointment of losing at Bideford.

“If we could have picked a performance to pay tribute to Andy, the second half would have been it.”

But for some fine goalkeeping from Stags’ No1 Shane Murphy, Manor Farm might have been out of sight, however.

“Murph was excellent for us at 1-0 down,” said Langdown. “They had a five-minute period where they absolutely battered us and he stood up to it really well. We’re indebted to him for keeping us in it.”

Totton, sixth, occupy the fourth play-off spot ahead of Tuesday's home game against fourth-placed Swindon Supermarine (7.45pm).

Midfielder Robin Nicholls, who missed Saturday’s game, should be back, but Matt Bozier has joined fellow Aldershot loanee Jack Barker on the injury list.