The Wickers, which have already lost two games by less than a kick and another when in front at the final change, stayed in touch with the Central Highlands Football League top eight thanks to a 29-point success over Daylesford.

Creswick controlled the encounter in the first half and led by close to six goals at the long break, before the visitors hit back to close the margin to 16 points at the final change.

But the hosts booted three majors to one in the last quarter to capture the 13.8 (86) to 8.9 (57) triumph.

“I just put it on the group - we always knew they were going to come at us and we can’t hold them down all game. It’s just who was willing to step up and stop their run and take control back,” Knowles said.

“And I probably had most of our group who were prepared to do that.”

Knowles said in particular it was some of the team’s leaders that stood up to help his team steady and then kick clear.

Onballers Paul Hofman, Aaron Sedgwick and Alex Lovel were influential for the winners, while Hepworth boys Aaron, Caleb and Liam all played well.

Clinton Robinson continued his super start to the season with a game-high five goals.

Saturday’s result leaves the Wickers ninth on the ladder, just percentage outside the top eight moving into their game against Bungaree.

Creswick is also percentage clear of the Bulldogs, which battle Carngham-Linton next Saturday.

Daylesford’s performance on the weekend was rated as “easily the worst … by a long way” in coach Marcus Goonan’s time at the helm.

Goonan said the Bulldogs only had a brief 20-minute period in which he felt they were the better side.

“It was just a very weird game, but you have them sometimes,” Goonan said.