Blyth Spartans manager Lee Clark hailed his players’ fighting spirit after they came from behind to beat Curzon Ashton in the must-win encounter at Croft Park.
Had Connor Dimaio’s 60th-minute opener for The Nash proved to have been the winner, Spartans would have found themselves seven points from National League North safety.
However, courtesy of a double from Robbie Dale and another resilience display by Clark’s men, the gap has now been cut to one ahead of next week’s trip to AFC Telford United.
“Over the last few weeks, the players have taken setbacks and have bounced back,” Clark told blythspartans.com. “The two Gateshead games for example.”
“They are showing they have got the fight and the spirit. The good thing now is they have a free week to recharge their batteries because they have worked unbelievably hard.
“It also gives us a chance to integrate the new lads because the new lads haven’t even had a training session with us yet because it has just been playing a game then recovering.
“The new lads have come in and made a brilliant impact. Kris Thackray, Jack Sanders, Scott Wilson, Mark Waddington, Zach Hemming – who has been unbelievable since he came in.”
Both Wilson and Waddington, on loan from Burnley and Barrow, respectively, made their home debuts after signing on loan a few weeks ago.
The new boys have helped Blyth to two wins from three – adding to an overall run of collecting 10 points from their Spartans’ previous six games.
Clark added: “We don’t fear anyone. We respect every team in the league but this group of players can take anyone on in this division.
“We’ve got players who are doing really well. We’ve got Rhys Evans who is in real good form and showing a great standard and consistency.
“I couldn’t be more happier with them because they are getting results in different ways. Whatever way the game is panning out, they are coming up with the answers.
“They are giving everything and that is all I can ask from them.”