Blyth Spartans 2 Stourbridge 0

Gary Hackett made three changes from Tuesday's draw at home to Ilkeston. Dean Coleman returned in goal after illness, whilst Tyrone Williams slotted into the back four in place of the unavailable Will Richards, and Chris Knight also came back into the team after injury.

The first chance fell to Blyth on 5 minutes, Michael Richardson managing to lift his shot over the bar from close-range after good work down the right by Alex Nicholson, but the Glassboys hit back on 10 minutes in what was proving to be an open game. Luke Benbow and Brian Smikle combined to set up the latter, but Nick Thomson was off his line quickly to block Smikle's effort 8 yards out.

From there on Blyth largely controlled the half, with lone striker Dan Maguire a constant threat. Williams had to be alert to get back and close Maguire down as he ran in on goal on 12 minutes, and then on 18 minutes Robbie Dale set up Richardson for a shot that was ultimately too weak to trouble Coleman.

Spartans continued to create chances, with and Maguire came close on 23 minutes when his header from Stephen Turnbull's cross rebounded off the post with Coleman beaten.

There was a half-chance for Stourbridge just after the half-hour when Kayelden Brown headed well over from Drew Canavan's corner, but on the whole Blyth were defending solidly and cutting off most of Stourbridge's attacks before they could get a sight of goal.

Blyth's pressure finally paid off six minutes before the break, when Turnbull swung in a left-foot cross from out on the right flank. As several players attacked the ball, Coleman was left with the dilemma of whether to anticipate a touch or not. None came, and he was rooted to the spot as the ball crept just inside the far post. A touch fortunate, perhaps, but on the balance of play, a fair reflection.

Stourbridge hit back immediately, with Benbow finding half a yard of space and forcing a fine save from Thomson at his near post, but the Glassboys would have been pleased to hear the half-time whistle.

The second half was to prove much more even. Blyth largely spurned what chances they did create, whilst Stourbridge showed far more promise in attack without forcing too many clear openings of their own.

Smikle tried his luck from range on 53 minutes and, with the ball swerving manically, Thomson was only able to scoop it away before pouncing on the loose ball.

Thomson was called into action again with 62 minutes on the clock to catch Canavan's effort just under the crossbar, whilst Blyth went straight up the other end where Williams was forced to block Maguire's effort as the Blyth striker seemed to get the ball stuck under his feet somewhat.

Smikle perhaps could have done better on 66 minutes when he fired over the bar after exchanging passes with Benbow on the edge of the area. Again, Blyth countered as substitute Ash Davies met Maguire's cut-back but managed to spoon his shot over Coleman's crossbar from 8 yards.

A snap-shot from Brown went well wide on 69 minutes as Stourbridge continued to look for a way back into the game.

But the outcome was settled with 8 minutes remaining. Williams did well to block Davies as he looked to find space in the box, but the loose ball ran to full-back Nicholson as he arrived in support and his first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area seemed to catch Coleman, who was possibly unsighted, by surprise as it arrowed inside the near post.

From that point, the game petered out as Blyth settled for what they had. However, there was a flurry for the Glassboys in stoppage time, as Tye's shot from 20 yards was held by Thomson before Josh Morgan-Parker wriggled free only to see the keeper make a good stop at close quarters. And then from the resulting corner Williams saw his header thump off the bar and rebound off the head of Brown, who had no time to react, and out for a goal kick.

A disappointing result, and unquestionably Blyth merited the win. But the performance was again vastly improved from the home fixture against the same opposition two weeks ago, and was another tentative step in the right direction after the recent poor run of form.

Stourbridge: Coleman, Smikle, Knight, Brown, Canavan (Tye 79), Williams, Connolly, Broadhurst, Benbow (Quaynor 68), Lait, Dodd (Morgan-Parker 82).

Unused substitute: Hill (gk).

Attendance: 434.