WEYMOUTH’S thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Hemel Hempstead Town was a “statement” victory, manager Bobby Wilkinson insists.

Weymouth’s run of three straight wins looked set to end as goals in each half from Kaylen Hinds and Bayley Brown put Hemel 2-0 up.

However, inspired substitutions from Wilkinson changed the game as Ezio Touray and Keelan O’Connell helped the Terras draw level.

Malachi Linton’s first goal for the club set them on their way, before Touray slotted home for 2-2 in the 70th minute.

READ MORE: Weymouth 4-3 Hemel Hempstead Town - report

Hemel restored their lead three minutes later through Michael Folivi’s neat finish, but a storming end to the game from Weymouth turned the match on its head.

Linton’s brilliant cross allowed Brandon Goodship to score his 11th goal of the season, before Touray set up O’Connell in the 95th-minute, the winger racing through to score and send the Bob Lucas Stadium into delirium.

Weymouth’s fourth straight win, last achieved in April 2019, boosted them into 14th where they now reside only six points away from the play-offs.

Wilkinson told Echosport: “It’s a statement to let people know what my teams do.

“Wherever I go, I bring that mindset and belief to never lose. You’re not always going to win every single one, but one thing I’m trying to show is to have that little bit of belief.

“You can win anything and attack everything with purpose. Don’t get me wrong, my tactics worked. The subs worked.

“They don’t always, but I’ve had a lot more working in the last few weeks than usual. I’m really pleased with that, all my management team and players for the way they’re working hard.

“To make the two changes and they both scored, shows we got it right.”

Wilkinson again mentioned the harrowing 5-2 loss to Hungerford last season as a reference point for Weymouth’s improvement.

In that game, Weymouth pegged the Crusaders back from 2-0 down, just as they did against Hemel, but instead went on to lose.

“I hate to remind you, I was 2-0 down to Hungerford and lost 5-2,” Wilkinson said.

“You see a different mindset. If you analyse where we were a year ago to where we are now, there’s a statement straight away.

“We’ve gone 3-2 down and could’ve just given up like we did last year and gone 5-2. But no, 3-2 and we’ve won 4-3.

“I don’t like bringing up that game because it was a horrible night and I took a lot of abuse. I just knew in a year’s time we would be turning it around.

“We’ve still got a real tough challenge ahead. We’ve got Worthing, Chelmsford, Torquay so we just needed to pick up another three points. It’s going to get real difficult now.”

Wilkinson had no complaints about receiving a booking for protests on the sideline in the second half.

“I would’ve taken a booking,” he insisted.

“I was going to jump the barrier, straight into our fans, when we went 4-3 or after the game. Passion’s flowing and I want to bring passion to the club. I don’t want to be punished for that.

“If I’ve got to sit in the stand, I’ll do that because I promise you I would’ve jumped the barrier!

“(The fans) sang my name all day and it was a proud moment. My wife and my kids were so pleased, I will continue to try and do my best for them.”

He added: “They were our 12th man to help get us the fourth goal. We were 2-0 down, they stuck with us and kept driving us on. Look what happened. That brings togetherness.

“I’m trying to build one unit. I think it’s working. I’m not always going to get everything right but I’ve got to manage the way I’ve managed for 17 years.

“I’ve brought a lot of success wherever I’ve been.”

Weymouth next travel to play-off contenders Chelmsford City on Saturday (3pm).