GOAL-HERO Darren Cummings reckons the 3-2 win at Broughty Athletic last weekend was reminscent of the Sauchie teams of old.

The 30-year-old striker was part of the East of Scotland Cup winning side of 2014, but he reckons the current Beechwood Park dressing room is starting to find the same bond as that side.

Fraser Duncan's men had to come from behind to seal the crucial late win on Saturday and the experienced hitman revealed how team bonding sessions have been the key to turning around their early season from that has seen them go unbeaten since the turn of the year.

Cummings told Advertiser sport: “ Last weekend was a great win for us and I felt like that was the Sauchie of old again. The boss told us at the turn of the year to start a fresh and forget what had gone previously and I think our results prove that we have really turned a corner since then. The gaffer gave us a much needed kick up the backside at half time then we came out fighting after the break and I thought we really did well to grind out the result. We had an off the cuff night out after as well, but it is that spirit and togetherness that has been the key for us recently. We win and lose together as a group and this was a massive three points for us. Hopefully now we can kick on from this and we will head into training absolutely buzzing.

“I feel like I have settled right back in at the club, but I knew I would. I am starting to get a wee bit sharper and fitter, but I still have a bit to go. I hadn't kicked a ball for months at Bo'ness so it is great to be back amongst it again and I am starting to get there again in terms of fitness. I was delighted to get back on the scoresheet as well and hopefully there is plenty more where that came from, but the gaffer has started playing me right through the middle and so that has made a big difference for me. It's where I want to play so hopefully I can repay him for that faith by putting the ball in the net for him.”

Cummings expects a similar type of battle to be awaiting them when they travel to face St Andrews United this weekend, but he insists they have a squad full of players who relish such a challenge.

He said: “We are away to St Andrews next and I'd expect a very similar game to last week. We will need to reach the same levels and have the right attitude. It is always a tough place to go, but they are a difficult team to read. They can beat anyone on their day, but hopefully we get them on an off day. We will just look after ourselves though and these types of games need to grafting characters like Morgy, Ants McTaggart and Gary McCulloch.

“The three of them were immense last week and they won't mind me saying that it was their type of park so I am sure they will relish it at St Andrews as well. That is what you need at this time of year with weather being as it is and certainly have plenty battlers in our side. Ants in particular has been impressive for the last few weeks and as a young guy in his first season at this level I think he has adapted brilliantly. He runs himself into the ground every single week and I think he has learned a lot from Morgy's leadership. He is just like a younger version of him and I am sure he still has lots of improvement in him.

“Morgy took a bit of time to adjust to the captain's armband initially, but I think that was the best thing to happen to him because it has made him a better player and he is certainly flourishing in the role now. He has worked hard to improve every aspect of his game and even when the team were getting stick, he always knew we would come good. He doesn't get enough credit for his actual ability as a footballer and he is a massive asset to the team.”

The former Bo'ness United hitman says the latest win for the Beechwood Park side can help propel them on towards ending their season on a high and doesn't believe there was ever any real risk of them being sucked into a relegation battle.

Cummings added: “We are in a mini league in the middle of the table now and I think it is important that we look to finish top of that group. We were always confident we could move away from any danger because we have too many good players in our side, but it is just a case of trying to find that consistency now. We also have the side interest of a cup run to keep us on our toes so hopefully we can push on and have a good end to the season.”