It was only 1-0 at Croft Park on Saturday but it was a big, big result for the Spartans on several levels.

The defeat of fourth from top Southport saw Blyth hold on to a lead – something they’ve found difficult recently, plus it was at home where their form has been poorer than away. In addition the win, and clean sheet, came without long serving centre back and Captain Richard Forster who moved to Whitby Town last week.

Commenting on Forster’s departure Blyth manager Harry Dunn said “He’s done a good job for us over the years but he’s chosen to leave. He was a big presence in the Club but I just hope that two or three of the other lads will now come out of their shells, stick their chests out a little more, and grow as players.
“In terms of the squad we have good cover at the back, it’s just up front where we’re a bit thin at the moment. I need to bring at least one more player in to see us through the season.”

The Captain’s duties have alternated a little over the last few seasons between Forster and fellow defender Peter Snowdon but against Southport Snowdon appeared to relish the fact that the role was clearly in his grasp, and his alone.

Dunn was, unsurprisingly, happy with the result. “To be honest any point is a good point for us – so getting three is great. We actually could have been out of the game in the first half but Adam Bartlett in our goal made some excellent saves. The second half saw Southport push on as you would expect from a full time side aiming for promotion but we defended very well showing a lot of character under pressure. But after about ten minutes they seemed to run out of ideas.”

It looked like the Sandgrounders had been visited by the Sandman as they appeared to doze off allowing a determined Blyth side to grab the initiative.

Dunn introduced substitute Tony Stephenson only to substitute him for Andy Johnson later. “Tony was carrying a bit of an ankle injury and couldn’t operate at 100% and it also meant I could give Andy a short run out as he is still recovering from some time out of the side.”

Striker Robbie Dale grew in stature as the game went on, delivering a stream of threatening crosses to the visitors’ far post. Dunn had spotted a possible weakness in Southport’s ability to deal with crosses in the away fixture and it was deserving that the Blyth goal came from a Dale free kick which eluded the grasp of Southport keeper Drench.

Despite the win Dunn is still looking for better quality. “We need to learn to keep the ball better. Having said that so do the England team so if it’s hard at that level it’s always going to be difficult for us! “But you have to say we did well on Saturday – as witnessed by the crowd’s standing ovation at the end.”

Blyth host mid-table Boston United on Tuesday evening in what Dunn says will be “a difficult game.” He will be contacting Telford who lost to Boston on Saturday for a run down but he is already well acquainted with the quality of several of their players including defenders Tony Crane and Matt Bloomer, as well as former Darlington midfielder Andy Nicholls. “They’ve got some good players and their boss Tommy Taylor has just won the Manager of the Month award so it will be an interesting game” he said.

The Boston game will be no tea party and neither will Blyth’s visit to the Wirral on Saturday when they take on fellow bottom five side Vauxhall Motors.