DEFENSIVE solidarity provided the springboard for Kendal Town's perfect start to the Evo-Stik First Division North campaign, insists boss Michael Stringfellow.

The Mintcakes opened the season with a 3-0 win away at Farsley Celtic on Saturday before a late Danny Forbes completed a comeback against Burscough on Tuesday night.

"Saturday was nearly a perfect performance," said Stringfellow. "Everyone was eight out of ten and then you're asking the lads to reproduce that on the Tuesday.

"Burscough are a good side who played good football and I thought we struggled a bit first half but what stood us in good stead was our back four who were outstanding all game. We've defended well and kept ourselves in it. It's pleasing to win games when you aren't playing well and that's a sign that we are doing the basics right.

"There are only a couple from last year so it will take time for us to gel but we've had a fantastic start and I am sure we will get better along the way. "We have got a small squad so hopefully we can keep everyone fit and keep heading in the right direction."

After a goalless first half in wet conditions on Tuesday, Burscough opened the scoring on 63 minutes when Will Jones lashed in an unstoppable volley past a helpless Will Kitchin in the Kendal net.

The lead, however, lasted less than ten minutes as midfield dynamo Craig Carney opened his account for the season.

Jordan Connerton did well to win the ball back in the corner and played in Carney, who used the skiddy pitch to his advantage to send a low drive past the despairing dive of Calvin Hare.

Jones almost put his side back in front moments later but was denied by Kitchin as he got down low to parry his shot from inside the box.

The winner arrived with just one minute of normal time left on the clock when Forbes met an inswinging Sam Bailey corner and powered a header into the side of the net.

The referee indicated for five minutes added time but Kendal showed a new defensive resolve to repel any Burscough attack and see out the game.

The result sent Kendal joint top of the division following their win at Farsley, where striker Tom Kilifin scored with his first touch back in a Kendal shirt after only 30 seconds.

Connerton latched onto a poor pass by debutant Harley Wigley in the Farsley defence.

His initial shot hit Tom Taylor in the Celtic goal and with the ball looping up and looking like it was creeping in, Kilifin made 100 per cent sure to claim the final touch.

Kilifin scored his second goal of the afternoon after good work by Bailey who chested a poor clearance into the path of Connerton. The hitman then unselfishly passed to his strike partner who coolly finished into the corner under the keeper.

Bailey then caught Taylor out with a free kick from the halfway line to round off an impressive victory for Kendal.

Stringfellow hailed the contribution of Kilifin and hopes he can form a potent partnership with last season's top scorer Connerton.

"Jordan carried the team a bit last year but he can't score every game," said Stringfellow. "Tom was unbelievable on Saturday so I think him and Jordan Connerton will cause all sort of problems this year."