GOALKEEPER Harvey Wiles-Richards received big praise from Weymouth boss Bobby Wilkinson after the Bristol City loanee’s star performance in the 4-1 win over Havant.

With Weymouth under the pump in the second half, Wiles-Richards kept the Terras in the game with a number of stunning saves, including a flying stop to deny James Roberts’ rising 25-yard scorcher.

Wiles-Richards was blameless for Corey Panter’s own goal and his efforts were rewarded with three points as Weymouth bagged three late goals to inflict a harsh defeat on the Hawks.

Having taken a “gamble” in bringing Wiles-Richards to the club with number one Gerard Benfield performing well, Wilkinson admitted the loanee’s display justified his signing.

Wilkinson told Echosport: “I took a massive gamble with the goalkeepers, it shouldn’t go unnoticed.

READ MORE: Weymouth 4-1 Havant & Waterlooville - reaction

“Gez hasn’t played bad, but I changed it and look what it’s done. It’s just brought on another level to what we’re trying to do.

“He’s just been in a different world. He made two saves that no-one else in this league saves. There’s the difference.

“I didn’t need to make that (change), 99 per cent of managers wouldn’t have took that gamble. Gez has done nothing wrong.

“I just felt I needed to do something. Everyone said: ‘What happens if it went wrong?’

“It’s like the tactical moves. If they went wrong, I can never win. When these moments happen, I do enjoy these moments.

“One week I might make a sub and it’s wrong, so you can never win as a manager.”

Wiles-Richards was also recognised for his efforts by league sponsors Vanarama, who named the goalkeeper in their National League South team of the week.