Membrey’s injury, however, didn’t prevent the Cats from holding off a storming East Warrnambool to notch their first win of the campaign.

Allansford held a 33-point advantage at half time and held off a late flurry to run out 13.7 (85) to 10.14 (74) victors at Reid Oval.

Cats co-coach Ben Holloway heaped praise on the character shown by his inexperienced unit.

“To East’s credit, they put a lot of pressure on us,” he said.

“We had that decent lead at half time but then we had a couple of blokes cramping, and then Trav (Membrey) hurt his shoulder.

“In the last quarter, we ended up using the ball a lot better to hold on. It was a really good reward for the effort the boys have shown.”

Loyal Cat Rory Neeson was among Allansford’s best players, working in tandem with Justin Fedley and Brad Williams out of the centre square.

Holloway expected his side to put team endeavour first as it braced for a rebuilding period.

“We know where we’re at and when we play, we can’t expect anybody to individually take the game on,” he said.

“But when we play as a unit of 21, and play some good footy, we’ll be a chance to get a good result.

“We know there will be times this year when we cop a bit of a flogging but we’ve got to stick fat and build. That’s what it’s all about.”

He said the club would take heart out of its promising start to the season, which has yielded one win from three outings.

“It’s good to get a win and knowing we could be two and one had we beaten Russells Creek is pleasing at this stage of the year,” Holloway said.

East Warrnambool mentor Danny Chatfield lamented a slow start, conceding the bottom-placed Bombers had to deliver a four-quarter performance to fulfill their potential.

“The potential is definitely there, but the guys just have to have that belief,” he said.

“We’ve been down for so long, but we need to get good starts and maintain it.

“Getting the 21 guys in a good headspace for four quarters is our maintain objective at this point.”

He said the Bombers would not dwell on the loss and were already turning their attention to Panmure at the kennel next week. Allansford is placed ninth overall.