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A FREEZING bath would not have topped Barry Corr's list to Santa but after giving Town only their second away win of the season yesterday, the battered and bruised Irishman insists the sacrifices are worth it.

Already playing with a fractured spine, the striker picked up a dead leg and a swollen ankle in a gruelling battle with Yeovil skipper Terry Skiverton - but the winning goal and a red for his rival saw Corr come out well on top.

His 65th-minute goal, a second in two games, was the least the visitors deserved after an inspired second half display but the next few days will prove there is no gain without pain.

Corr was booed off by the home supporters when he was replaced by Billy Paynter late on, but that will not bother him as he returned to Wiltshire the hero.

With a trip to Bournemouth just two days away, Corr is struggling to be fit but, with some ice baths in the offing, he is confident he will be available for selection.

He said: "In the first half I went to block the ball but he followed through and caught me. The leg went a bit dead but that was alright and then in the second half I thought I should have had a penalty there.

"I had the ball at my feet and had a shot, the keeper has saved it and as I went for the rebound I was tripped. I went over on my ankle and it is a bit swollen and my back is a bit sore, but we will see what happens the next few days.

"There will be a few ice baths, there was not one there but when I get home I will have one. It has to be done.

"I have had my fair share and there are sacrifices you need to make just like yesterday. When everyone else is having a few beers on Christmas day we had to take it easy."

Kaid Mohamed was restored to the starting line-up, with Sofi Zaaboub missing the trip due to a viral infection, in the only change to the side that defeated Hartlepool 2-1 last weekend.

Any repeat of that victory looked unlikely after a dour first half display from both sides, with James Walker's superb curling effort off the bar the only chance of note.

Illness forced Town skipper Hasney Aljofree off after just 23 minutes, replaced by Andy Nicholas at left back and Jamie Vincent moved into the middle, but Town responded in stunning fashion after the break.

Heavy pressure was finally rewarded when Corr lifted Mohamed's through-ball over Steve Mildenhall for the winner - paying caretaker managers Dave Byrne and Ady Williams back for giving them Christmas day off.

He said: "We actually got the day off. I would rather have gone in to be honest because all my family are back home. So I was a bit bored at home.

"I had friends over but you have to watch what you eat and drink so you do miss out a bit.

"But the sacrifices were worth it. It has been a good Christmas but we need to keep going. We had slipped down the table but that shows you what a few points can do.

"Hopefully we can get ourselves 12 points out of 12 and back up the table."

Skiverton's sending off seemed a harsh decision in an otherwise surprisingly tame West Country derby, but his frustration was definitely as a result of the tireless Corr.

After tussles throughout, Skiverton waved his hand in the direction of Corr with just over 10 minutes left before heading up the field for a free-kick.

Suddenly the fourth official, standing on the opposite side, attracted the attention of referee Mr McDermid, and Skiverton was given a straight red card.

Corr said: "You can't raise your hands. We were having a battle and it was good.

"I think he got a little too wound up though and maybe he tried to punch me.

"I think he got me in the neck but I said to the lino that was silly. Letter of the law he had to go."

8:58am Thursday 27th December 2007

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