"The crowd on the infamous balcony were superb," Howard said, adding the emphasis on his troops was to ease the self-imposed pressure to enjoy playing.
He didn't think they deserved to be 1-0 at the break after conceding a sloppy goal because "in my opinion we were the better team".
"We had a group of heroes today who fought for everything."
Claudatos felt Port Hill hit the snooze button in a game both sides competed to the end "but they did a bit more than us".
Rangers deserved the victory although it was a pity it was against them.
Western Rangers 2 (Ben Robinson, Mark Saunders both 74th) Port Hill 1 (Matt Single 44th). HT: 1-0 Port Hill.
Rovers 3 Gisborne 0
It was the first time everyone from No1 to No11 contributed in Promotem Napier City Rovers' 3-0 thumping of defending champions Jennian Homes Team Gisborne at Park Island, Napier.
"We definitely controlled the tempo of the game all the way through," coach Matt Hastings said, although Nick Mathieson duffed a penalty kick in the second half that would have given the hosts a 3-0 lead.
"While we're getting better and better week by week the most pleasing thing is we're getting our young guns on so the club is going forward," he said of a game where teenage goalkeeper William Stockill "didn't have to save anything".
Hastings said Gisborne were a good side but were frustrated their coach, Blake Mulrooney, didn't travel away from home.
Mulrooney, revealing work kept him away again, said they were mindful Rovers were a good team so they would have settled for a point.
"We didn't and by all account we didn't play well, either," he lamented.
Rovers 3 (Kyle McLean, Sam Lawson, Patrick Pilz) Gisborne 0. HT: 1-0.
Taradale 4 Havelock 1
In the top-of-the-table clash, there was also a point or two to prove for the visitors.
Cape Physio Taradale certainly did at Guthrie Park, beating Best Travel Havelock North Wanderers 4-1.
"We were out to set things right because we weren't happy with how the first round transpired," Dale coach Robbie Parker said.
Central Football awarded Taradale all three points despite their 1-0 loss to the villagers who had fielded former Cru Bar Maycenvale United player BJ Christensen whose transfer hadn't been cleared although the Napier side didn't lodge a complaint.
Parker was pleased his troops could keep the ball down for some decent football and also dominated when the physicality stakes went up.
Havelock coach Bruce Barclay said Dale were "up for it" and brought the necessary contest and desire to win.
"For us Adam Cockelburg and BJ Christensen fought gallantly but we came up a bit short."
Taradale 4 (Chris Bruin 2, Perry Cotton, Dean Johnston). Havelock 1 (BJ Christensen) HT: 1-1.
Maycenvale 3 Marist 1
The coach-less, keeper-shy Maycenvale team claimed their second victory of the season with a 3-1 result against Hot Shots Napier Marist.
Vale captain Nick Lucas scored a first-half hattrick at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings.
"We're just disappointed with our performance and it doesn't reflect our past seven weeks," Marist coach Dave Carswell said.
"The boys let themselves down by not doing the basics," said Carswell, adding Vale weren't "a great team or a good one" but they scored three goals.
"We created more chances but didn't finish them off."
Maycenvale 3 (Nick Lucas hattrick) Marist 1 (Jonny Greaney). HT: 3-0.
Federation League
Taradale 2 Nth End 3
In some ways it's still Groundhog Day for Your Solutions Taradale as they continue pursuing that elusive win on either side of the Manawatu Gorge.
The Chris McIvor-coached Dale led 2-0 at one stage before losing 3-2 to North End AFC, of Palmerston North, at Taradale Park.
"We were 2-nil down and showed good character to come back to win in a very close battle," North End coach Garry Hodge said after they were locked 2-all at halftime.
McIvor, whose side led 3-1 with 15 minutes to go before losing 4-3 to Wanganui City the previous Saturday, said: "I think we're contesting but just not coming out on the right side."
Taradale 2 (Nathaniel Wright, Phil Dol) North End 3 (Hilal Al-Kharusi 2, William Hodge). HT: 2-2.
