BEN Hardcastle struck twice as Warrington Rylands fended off a gritty Blyth Spartans at Gorsey Lane.

He put Blues ahead after 35 minutes but Billy Gordon levelled matters eight minutes into the second half in what was Michael Connor’s first game in charge of the Northumberland outfit.

But Hardcastle fired home the winner – and his sixth goal of the campaign - from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, making him the team’s joint leading goalscorer this season alongside Jake Burton and Natumba Massanka.

Neil Reynolds’ side climbed two places to 16th in the Northern Premier League Premier thanks to what was their fourth home win in a row in all competitions.

Rylands shrug off selection issues

After the game, Reynolds detailed that his side had endured some less-than-ideal preparations for the game, with several players unavailable for the game.

Skipper James Neild, Blackpool loanee Jake Daniels and striker Ntumba Massanka were among those absent, but the Blues boss expressed his delight that his side found a way to win.

"We had eight players out today through injuries, suspensions, chest infections and the like – it’s been a week that no manager would want," he said.

"You never want to make excuses about that and I wouldn’t have done had we lost, because we’ve got a squad of 20-21 in there.

"You could see the changes you had to make against a very good Blyth side, but they came across a Rylands side that’s going in the right direction and we’re flying high at the minute.

"We’re unbeaten in six and we’re at two defeats in nine – it doesn’t matter what side I put out, we’re finding a way at the minute."