There was hope at half-time after a goalless opening period but there was no looking back for Blyth once they got their noses in front.

The home side had themselves been struggling for form and were without a win in nine going into Tuesday’s match. But they grew in confidence after taking the lead and finished worthy victors.

Northallerton changed the game plan by reverting to a flat back four, with manager Jamie Poole playing just in front of the defence as his squad again struggled with injuries and unavailability.

Blyth produced little to worry the visitors during the first half in what was a solid start for Northallerton. At the other end, Lewis Martin screwed a header wide from a Lucas Bramley cross when well-placed and had another couple of half-chances.

But it was a different story after the break when Blyth found their shooting boots. Their opener after 64 minutes was a classic case of turning defence into attack.

Northallerton made little of a free-kick deep into their opponents’ half and were caught out as Blyth raced up the other end for a well-worked goal created by centre-forward Nathan Nkunku and converted by substitute Bailey Adamson.

Ally had a great chance to equalise soon afterwards when Martin dragged a shot agonisingly wide following an intelligent interception by Charlie Thompson. But Blyth doubled their advantage when winger Adam Johnson was afforded too much time to pick his shot from just inside the area.

The pain got worse for Northallerton when they conceded two further goals in the closing stages. Ben Franklin was left unmarked to convert Blyth’s third and the visitors’ defence went to sleep again as Konner Lamb was allowed too much time and space to score in the last minute of normal time.

Substitute Kieran Harnett headed narrowly wide deep into injury time but by that time Blyth had already plundered the points.

Blyth Town: Baker, Marriott (Fogarty 74), Richardson (Sawyer 75), Franklin, Gibson, Fell, Johnson, Burn, Nkunku (Parker 74), Reid (Adamson 63), Mitchell (Lamb 63).

Northallerton Town: Fairless, Wilson, Crooks, Poole, Drury, Roddam, Davies (Alderson 76), Boucher, Martin (Harnett 76), Hopson (Thompson 50), Bramley.

Att: 124.