North centre back Paul Page comes under pressure from Saints striker Marc McGrath at Northfield last night. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0903412)

North 2, St Martin’s 3
GLYN DYER was always going to make the headlines, but it was a St Martin’s ‘old boy’ who settled last night’s crucial clash of two title challengers.

Substitute Rob Pickford struck the winner with a clinical breakaway goal in the 87th minute at Northfield to send his teammates into wild celebrations, but it was undoubtedly cruel on North.

The champions did not deserve to go away from this one with nothing to show for their efforts, a point Colin Fallaize was quick to make.

‘I did not think either side deserved to lose tonight. I am absolutely over the moon to have won, but North gave as good as they got,’ said the Saints boss.

His opposite number, Mick Le Prevost, went further, saying that North were the better team, but that a crucial decision – one which his nephew Dyer was at the heart of – went against his side and cost them dearly.