Gold Coast forward Ben Ainsworth saw Sunday’s win over the Brisbane Lions as a reward for the team’s effort over four quarters, rather than a lucky escape.

A last gasp shot at goal from Brisbane’s Cam Rayner that sailed wide gave the SUNS the win, and the 20-year-old saw the victory as an important step for the team ahead of this week’s game against the Crows.

“Not so much an escape, I think the boys did all the work throughout the four quarters, played some consistent footy,” Ainsworth told the media.

“Still some areas we need to improve on and the boys were pretty happy with our performance.

“It was obviously a pretty crucial win, obviously going three and two now, and looking ahead to Adelaide next week, it’s obviously a tough contest.”

The SUNS have never beaten the Crows, but that is something that Ainsworth is keen to rectify.

He knows that it won’t be easy, and the team is well prepared for a hostile atmosphere.

“It’s always a tough challenge travelling over to the Adelaide Oval, it’s always a pretty intense atmosphere and pretty hostile,

“But we’ll be going over there to get the four points and nothing less.”

After playing 13 games in his first year at the club, Ainsworth has played the first five games of the season to give him some continuity in the team.

He spent the majority of his time in the forward line, but this season has seen him move up the ground for stints in the midfield and on the wing.

“It’s really good, obviously had a little bit of an interrupted preseason but it’s good to string 5 games together now and hopefully make it six this week,

“Just trying to get that continuity with the boys and everyone’s going along pretty nicely at the moment so hopefully we can have a good win this week.”