Vauxhall 2, Blyth Spartans 1: THE Motormen held out for victory in their last home match of the campaign on Saturday to secure their place in the new Conference Division Two North next season.

For once, Owen Brown's side were cheered on by a large and vociferous crowd and it was a refreshing change to have something of a real football atmosphere within Rivacre Park.

The numbers through the turn-stiles were boosted by the presence of the two clubs' youth sections, who had faced each other in a series of junior matches before kick-off.

With a higher class of football coming to the town in the August and bigger crowds a necessity, Vauxhall's committee could do a lot worse than making a conscious effort to get the youngsters of Ellesmere Port coming through their gates on a regular basis.

Whether this next generation of supporters comes from the junior section of which the club is rightly proud of, the town's schools, or hopefully both, Saturday showed just how much noise the enthusiasm of youth can generate and create an atmosphere this team deserves.

Motormen supporters young and old had plenty to shout about early on as captain Robbie Lawton put the home side ahead just three minutes into the contest, curling a stunning 20-yard free kick around Blyth's wall and to keeper Craig Turns' left.

Peter Cumiskey had a couple of good opportunities to extend the hosts' advantage but saw his low drive blocked by Turns in a oneon-one situation when played through by Terry Fearns, while an attempt to lob the keeper soon after curled just wide.

The Motormen's defence was caught napping on 20 minutes as Anthony Woodhouse levelled proceedings with a looping header over Tim Dittmer from Gareth McAlindon's chipped free kick.

Vauxhall's winner arrived four minutes after the restart as left-back Wayne McDermott dragged a cross in from the left-hand touchline and although the initial shot from Fearns was saved by Turns, Cumiskey fired in the re-bound from eight yards out.

Chances were at a premium for the remainder of the second half but Blyth were denied a second equaliser when Mark Atkinson rounded Dittmer, with the keeper getting a hand to the ball and Craig Robinson completing the clearance.

Vauxhall: Dittmer, Spellman, McDermott, Robinson, Roberts, Lynch, Nesbitt, Lawton, Fearns, Griffiths, Cumiskey. Attendance 463.