Hooks reveals relief at ending away day hoodoo

Spartans midfielder Neal Hooks admitted taking three points on the road for the first time since late September was a "big relief". Robbie Dale's looping header midway through the second half gave Tom Wade's side the win at play off rivals King's Lynn Town and that meant they took their first maximum on the road since the win at Barwell on 28th September. Former Spennymoor man Hooks challenged his side to build on the win as they look to end the season well.

"It's a big relief, I didn't realise it had been that long if I'm honest. It's a massive win and we need to carry on the momentum we have built from the win and go into the next game with confidence"

After the win in Norfolk Spartans sit in seventh place of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League and are within touching of the top five. With results going their way Hooks admitted that they had identified an improvement in their away form as a catalyst for a real play off challenge.

"We always need to beat the teams around us if we are going to get into a play off position. It's all well and good rolling over teams at home but we have to start doing it away is just what we need to do right now"

Whilst Robbie Dale will take the plaudits as match winner anyone in attendance at The Walks would have witnessed a team performance from Spartans. However Hooks picked out two of his team mates for praise and it was a duo who did as much as anyone to ensure a well earned clean sheet was in the bag.

"We were excellent as a team today and it was a real team performance. I have to give special mention to Conor Grant who made some tremendous stops and Damen Mullen has come straight back in after a long time out and put in a great performance"