Stourbridge 1, Matlock Town 0

IT took a moment of brilliance from Drew Canavan for Stourbridge to secure much-needed back-to-back league victories.

The Glassboys overcame Matlock Town at a cold and blustery War Memorial Ground today thanks to the midfielder's sublime second half free-kick.

Until he curled the ball away from the despairing reach of Matlock keeper Jon Kennedy in the 53rd minute, Stour seemed short of ideas after enduring a dour first half.

Injuries have played a major factor in Gary Hackett's team selections in recent weeks and more bad luck struck just before kick off when Chris Knight had to hobble away from the warm up.

It meant his place in the side had to be take by Jordan Fitzpatrick.

He made up a midfield three that also included Brian Smikle and Canavan.

The late change to the line up may have disrupted the home side early on and they never really got going in the first period.

The work-rate and a desire to take responsibility on the ball all seemed lacking as Amblecote fell silent as the game failed to ignite.

However, Stour did create a couple of openings in the first half. Forward Luke Benbow dragged an effort wide on 11 minutes before Canavan spurned the best chance of the game when firing straight at Kennedy in the 19th minute even though he had enough time and space in the penalty area to pick his spot.

In truth, the first half soon petered out as both sides toiled amid the plummeting temperatures.

The second half proved much better as the Stour faithful got the reaction they'd hoped for.

When Smikle was fouled on the edge of the box after getting to the loose ball ahead of Niall McManus, Canavan stepped up.

He whipped the ball into the top corner to set the Glassboys on their way to a much-needed victory in their hunt for a Northern Premier League play-off spot.

After the goal the Glassboys' confidence noticeable grew.

Matlock forward Corey Gregory was called upon to clear captain Leon Broadhurst's goal-bound header off the line on the hour mark before Canavan fired straight at Kennedy ten minutes later.

The visitors still carried a threat, however, and twice tested Coleman on the break.

First the keeper had to reach out a hand to stop a clever lofted effort from substitute Jamie McDonough in the 65th minute before Lam Needham glanced a header into Coleman's arms as the game approached the final ten minutes.

The Glassboys were just about good value for their lead but had to see off a late spell of pressure to make sure they kept it.

Ultimately, despite yet more injury disruptions, Gary Hackett's men got the job done.

However, had it not been for Canavan's moment of magic, it would have been hard to see how they would have broken the stalemate with such a lacklustre showing, particularly during the first period.

They will have to play a lot better, regardless of their injury distractions, if they are to realise their aim of featuring in the play-off picture at the end of the campaign.

Stourbridge: Coleman, Smikle, Quaynor, Williams, Hales (Morgan-Parker 36), Brown, Connolly, Broadhurst (c), Benbow, Canavan, Fitzpatrick (Tye 80).

Unused subs: Hill, Kalenda, Kenny.

Matlock: Kennedy, Harcourt (Yates 86), Radford, Meade (Maxfied 70), Sabo, Banton, McManus (McDonough 58), Needham, Gregory, Holland (c), Khan.

Unused subs: Stokes, Black.

Att: 369.