PHIL NEVILLE revealed it took a half-time blast from David Moyes to help Everton see off the threat of plucky Tamworth.

The Goodison outfit took an early lead through John Heitinga’s fifth-minute header against their Blue Square Premier Bet opponents in Saturday’s home FA Cup third round tie.

But it wasn’t until a 79th-minute penalty from substitute Leighton Baines that Moyes’s men secured their place in the last 32.

And with Tamworth having ended the first half the stronger, Neville admits Everton required a kick up the backside from their manager to ensure they sidestepped a potential FA Cup banana skin.

“He told us we had to simplify our game, do the basics, keep our shape and track runners,” said the captain. “We gave away a couple of silly free-kicks, which meant their fans got up – but I must say that was nice. Their supporters made it a really good atmosphere. The manager said at half-time we couldn’t give them any more encouragement because they were building off our mistakes.

“In the first half our passing wasn’t crisp enough. The second goal was always going to kill the game – it’s just a pity we didn’t get it earlier.

“The thing is at the moment virtually all our games are going to the 90th minute and there is no chance for us to step off the gas. Something we don’t do enough is see off games, by keeping the ball and conserving energy.”

Neville was the target of chants from the 4,500-strong Tamworth support, but believes the away fans contributed to an enjoyable atmosphere inside Goodison.

“It was good natured,” he said. “There’s a lot worse things been shouted at me than ‘you’re just a s--t Gary Neville’. It was all good banter.

“It happens from every away support, you just have to accept it. But I applauded them at the end because the Tamworth fans made it a really enjoyable atmosphere.

“The home atmosphere hasn’t always been as lively as that. There aren’t always that many away fans, and our performances haven’t always merited a good atmosphere either, to be honest.”