PLAYER SPONSORS DEVITT ON NON-LEAGUE DAY

Tom Devitt says the squad wants to repay everyone who comes through the gate this afternoon.

The defender helped Hebburn to a 2-1 away victory on Tuesday night away to Shildon. The Hornets went behind through a penalty after the interval, but an Aidan Heywood own goal and Amar Purewal strike won the game for Hebburn.

“The result was the main thing,” stated Devitt.

“I know the gaffer touched on it after the game - the performances are what they are, but it’s about winning by any means necessary. “It was a must-win for us and we needed those three points.

“We wanted to put Saturday’s defeat at Long Eaton to bed, but we also needed to win for our own sake because it was our game in hand.

“Shildon had a few chances in the first half because we weren’t at our best but going in at half-time, we were confident with the players we have up top.

“Of course Shildon could’ve been two or three goals up, but we managed to hold on and we know we’re capable of scoring in any game.”

Devitt, who has largely been deployed at full-back over recent weeks, returned to the heart of defence following a three-game suspension.

“It’s never nice watching on the sides,” he commented.

“It was hard and I was on the edge of my seat - you can’t do much but cheer the lads on.

“I’ve got full faith in the gaffer and whatever team he selects - he decided to put me straight back in on Tuesday and thankfully we repaid him with the three points.

“I haven’t properly played with Reidy [Sean Reid] at centre-back yet, we were together for the Grimsby Borough defeat but with so many changes it didn’t go to plan.

“Then we played together against Seaham but it didn’t last long because of the red card, so it really nice to have that 90 minutes together.

“I have full confidence I can play at centre-back and right-back so it’s up to where the gaffer needs me.

“The gaffer and Reidy were get the win.”

Hebburn remain in second place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division, with Tuesday’s win taking them four points above Stockton Town. However, Devitt admits he isn’t focusing on the table as The Hornets enter the final month of the season.

“At this moment in time the league table is irrelevant for me,” he said.

“I want to take it one game at a time because if you look ahead, you’ll stumble at the first hurdle.

“The league table doesn’t come into play - we’ll do what we can on the pitch and wherever we finish, hopefully we can be proud of it.”

A number of travelling supporters made their voices heard on Tuesday night at Dean Street, much like at Long Eaton last weekend.

Devitt was quick to thank those who put the miles in and supported the team over the last week.

“We were delighted to get the win for them on Tuesday,” he stated.

“We always say our support is unrivalled because they travel quite far just to get behind us - that’s a massive reason why we’ve done so well away from home.

“Whether they’re coming to a local one like Shildon or trek like Long Eaton, they play a massive part and we’re really thankful for them.”

Today is Non-League Day; an event which coincides with the international break, providing an opportunity to supporters of professional clubs to get behind their local non-league side.

Hebburn welcome Lincoln United to The Green Energy Sports Ground, and the club would love to break this season’s attendance record.

“We’d love to see a big crowd,” Devitt said.

“We’re a bunch of lads who want to do their best for the club and the area - we do that by giving 110% on a Saturday afternoon.

“We’re in a really important stage of the season so every single person that comes through the door, we’re grateful for and we want to repay them.

“We’ll do our best to give them a good day out by getting a win and hopefully a lot of them will come back."

Lincoln beat Hebburn back in November but have recently slipped into the relegation play-off zone after a run of defeats.

“It’ll be a tough game,” added Devitt.

“They’re towards the bottom of the table so, a bit like ourselves at the other end, they’re fighting for every point.

“There aren’t any easy games in this league so it’s up to ourselves to turn up and prepare mentally.

“If we do what we do well, fingers crossed the result will take care of itself.”