BOSS Gary Hackett has hailed the support for his Glassboys during their derby victory over local rivals Halesowen Town.

Luke Benbow's first half header was enough to hand Stourbridge the bragging rights over the Yeltz in front of 2,127 packed into the Grove on Tuesday night.

The striker bagged his 30th goal of the season as Stour took another three points towards securing their Northern Premier League play-off aim.

The Yeltz fought back well in the second half but couldn't force an equaliser. Lee Chilton passed up their best opportunity on 65 minutes as he rattled the cross bar from close range when it looked easier to score.

Hackett said: "It was always going to be a very tough game in very blustery conditions.

"We had a great start but fair play to Halesowen they competed very strongly and put us under pressure.

"At this stage of the season it's not always about how well you play, it's all about putting points on the board and we did that and it's a great three points.

"The wind serious picked up later on and Matt Gould's kicks were coming back on top of him. They have a guy, like we have, who took a long throw and they did put us under some pressure. Yes, we had a bit of luck but we deserved it.

"It's always lovely to come to your local rivals and win three points and it was big for our fans today.

"The support we had was amazing and no matter how you play they have seen a Stourbridge victory at their local rivals."

It didn't take long for the visitors to get on top with their main threat coming from Tom Tonks' balls into the danger zone.

The first chance for Stour arrived on five minutes when a Tonks long throw, so often seen down at the Grove before the midfielder's move between these rivals, was met by the head of defender Dan Preston.

He headed wide of the target but it was a warning sign the home defence didn't heed.

Just three minutes later the Glassboys were ahead.

This time it was forward Benbow escaping his marker as Tonks swung over a corner from the right. He met it six yards out and looped a header over the despairing Dan Platt.

Stour never really built on the opener though and Hales managed to stay in a scrappy contest.

It was the home side that came out with purpose in the second half as Andre Johnson replaced Nathan Walker to give more support to Tristian Dunkley.

The key chance for the Yeltz arrived after the hour mark as a long throw from Liam Slade found its way to Chilton at the far post. He slid in to convert but could only lift his chance against the bar.

Dunkley drilled wide moments later as Stour looked rattled.

But, after weathering the storm, the visitors settled down and worked a few openings of their own in the closing stages.

Hackett praised match winner Benbow, adding: "He's got it with a header but his all round game has been good and I'm very pleased.

"He's got the target that he wants to be top goalscorer in the league and I really hope that he does it, so we've got to create the chances for him."

The Glassboys will look to bag their fifth win in succession when Mickleover Sports visit the War Memorial Ground this Saturday (3pm kick-off).