Jamie Vermiglio’s second half strike was enough to see Vics take maximum points from Croft Park, and to move within just three points of the final play-off spot.

Vermiglio’s smart turn and shot six yards out saw Vics finally make the breakthrough in the 51st minute, following a first half in which Andy Preece’s men should have taken a comfortable lead through a plentiful supply of goalscoring opportunities.

Wayne Riley’s turn of pace saw him burst clear early on, but after Spartans goalkeeper Jack Norton narrowed the angle the midfielders shot was blocked from an acute angle.

Vermiglio’s attempted follow up was intercepted too as Vics got off to a bright start, following Preece’s call for an instant response to the defeat at second from bottom Vauxhall Motors in midweek.

Riley then spurned two more opportunities, firstly blazing over from inside the area before failing to turn in a half volley at the far post to put the finishing touch on a well worked Vics move.

Mark Danks had a lot of success down the left flank throughout the game and after cutting inside he tried his luck, but fired a low drive right across the face of goal as Vics continued to press.

Former striker Paul Brayson – Vics’ second highest scorer in the 2005/06 Conference North winning season – then almost capitalised on a Simon Grand mistake at the other end. Fortunately Junior Brown was on hand to make a timely interception and deny the Geordie attacker a clear sight of goal.

Vics responded with a Michael Aspin cross being flicked on by Brian Dutton towards the far post, but Michael Connor – who returned to the starting lineup – diverted his header wide when it had appeared easier to find the net.

Central defender Richard Pell put a header onto the roof of the net in a rare Blyth breakaway, but Vics ultimately continued to boss the first half.

A trademark Ian Herring long throw found its way through to Riley who looked certain to score, but his header from inside the six yard box was well kept out by Norton who stretched out a leg to keep the score goalless.

Riley was again in the thick of the action on the stroke of half time, but his goalbound effort was deflected wide and behind leaving the sides to go in level at the break.

Brayson curled a free kick from the edge of the area just wide minutes after the restart to serve up a moment of caution to Vics, and a reminder that if we failed to take our chances then we may be punished.

Luckily, with Vics’ next attacking move we had the lead our dominance deserved.

Danks again found himself in space out on the left and his cross caused panic in the Spartans penalty area. It left Vermiglio to turn defender John Brackstone and shoot in one smart movement, beating the left hand of Norton and finding the bottom right corner to give Vics the lead.

The Blue Square North’s top scorer Brayson created a couple of chances, neither of which troubled Curtis Aspden, after fellow striker Simon Todd had replaced Guy Bates in the hosts’ attack.

At the other end Vics’ top marksman Danks blazed well over and then had another effort saved by Norton.

Brown then did well before playing a low pass across the box that only needed a touch to convert. Unfortunately for Vics it eluded everyone.

Robbie Dale went closest to scoring for Blyth in the closing stages. A jinking run took him away from the Vics defence, before a speculative curling effort tested Aspden, who had to make a full stretched save diving to his left to keep the ball out.

The scoreline failed to tell the story of the game, but the three points are what matter most.

The win sees Vics remain ninth in the Blue Square North, but a defeat for fifth placed Droylsden away at Hyde United means Vics have closed the gap on the final play-off place to just three points.

Vics also have games in hand on four of the eight teams above us and with a dozen matches remaining, Preece may feel that promotion is now a possibility.

The next challenge is overcoming 10th placed Corby Town at the Victoria Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Steelmen are just a point adrift of Vics, but they have played two games less. They also inflicted one of only three away defeats Preece’s men have suffered this season, running out 1-0 winners at the Rockingham Triangle Stadium on September 5th.