Tom Talks | After the Halesowen game

Blyth manager Tom Wade was left disappointed but steadfast after watching his side lose 1-0 to Halesowen Town on Saturday at Croft Park.

"It was a very flat performance, "he said. "But, although we've hit a wall to some extent, we'll just have to work hard and come through it.

"We were always going to have a blip at some stage of the season. It's just unfortunate ours is at the wrong end - the sharp end - of the season. Darlington had theirs earlier. We just have to get on with things. We can't compete financially for new players like Darlington and some other clubs can so we'll need to move on with the squad we have. It's not a cop out, it's how it is.

"We will have to dig in, work hard and keep our self belief. The lads can't put more effort into games than they are doing at the moment. I'm very proud of them.

"At the weekend Halesowen had one clear chance and took it, although I thought the lad was two yards offside. We were in control in the second half but didn't create enough. I could go on about so many 'nearlys' but we've just got to be strong enough to take the loss on the chin. But we are missing Steve Turnbull and Matty Wade as driving forces in midfield."

Wade is looking forward to Wednesday's Northumberland Senior Cup game at Heaton Stannington.

He commented: "It's a huge game for us. I'm seeing it as important as a league game. We have players fighting for shirts and I'm looking for them to stand up and be counted. I want to win and to win well although it won't be easy."