Their biggest result of the season so far with North Companions sitting in third, it takes them within a point of fourth-placed Moore Creek and keeps their hopes of playing finals alive.

Cygan said it was probably midway through the first half when North Companions struck.

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Gunnedah weren't without their chances in the first 45 and "played well" but just didn't take their chances.

"We had the wind with us in the second half, and we said we knew we'd score but we knew we had to win, otherwise I think we would have been out of the finals reckoning," he said.

It was another sign of their improvement.

The first time round against the "big three" - Companions, Tamworth FC and Oxley Vale Attunga - they didn't pick up a point.

After drawing with the Mushies to start the second round, Saturday's win gave them four points from the three games. And "had the games been 87 minutes" Cygan said they could have had seven points "because we've been done right at the death in two".

"We're very pleased and I keep saying it's where we think we should be by now," he said.

"We'll hope to beat Souths next week and then it's Moore Creek and I guess that will be playing for fourth spot if results keep going the way they're going".

Rob Pryor made it four goals in four games with a brace.

"He's back scoring goals which is good," Cygan said.

"Harley Cheetham's been the big star at the minute, he created two of those goals and him and Rob are getting a good partnership up there."

At the other end Paul Webster was good in goals.

Cygan commended the sides continual effort.

"For a team that barely trains together, they somehow mange to pull it out on a Saturday," he said.

"And it's just been those last five minutes in games but we managed to see this one out to the end."

Reserve grade meanwhile had a disappointing 3-1 loss to drop back to fourth.