TAMWORTH failed to learn their set piece lesson – much to Scott Kerr's delight.
The Mariners midfielder was again his side's star man in Saturday's Conference victory at the Lamb Ground.
And it was the 31-year-old's clever corner that created the all-important opening goal six minutes after the break.
While some in the ground thought that Kerr had made a hash of his delivery as it flew low towards the near post, team-mate Ross Hannah was darting into that exact area of the box.
His first-time shot was subsequently helped over the line by Craig Disley and the rest is history.
Reflecting on that set piece, Kerr insists it was straight off the training ground – and was surprised the hosts hadn't seen it coming.
After all, the Mariners had tried exactly the same routine against them at Blundell Park less than two months ago.
"It was nice to see a set-piece work that we'd planned and we controlled the game after that," he told the Telegraph.
"Ross starts on the goal-line and pulls out and I just drive the corner into that area.
"We did it against them at our place and Ross had a shot off it, so I said to him before the game that I didn't think it would work again.
"Fortunately, they didn't catch on and Diz was able to nick it home.
"The gaffer puts little set pieces like that on in training. I think we got criticised for one we did at Woking when someone said me and Joe (Colbeck) were arguing over a free-kick.
"But that was planned – Joe was supposed to run over it and have a go when I didn't give him it because defences switch off with little things like that, and then I can whip it in quickly.
"We did it again on Saturday and Joe was a bit more theatrical this time. He's working on his acting and could be up for an Oscar soon!
"Any little things that can cause their defence to switch off are worth working on."
Ironically, it was the hosts who were expected to deliver the problems from set pieces.
Dale Belford's men didn't disappoint – launching a succession of corners, long throws and hopeful hoofs into the Town box.
But the visitors stood firm, and Kerr was impressed by the Mariners' resilience.
He added: "We knew it was going to be a tough game. They're direct with plenty of big lads, and they lump it into your box.
"So we'd have certainly taken a 2-0 win before the game.
"The gaffer went to watch Tamworth last Tuesday and we saw that they'd had a couple of tough games.
"So we wanted to start well, which we did for the first 15-20 minutes, but I felt we dropped too deep.
"They've got two seasoned professionals playing up front for them and I think they bullied us to an extent.
"We went in at half-time and had a little chat about putting that right."
Ignoring the 'small matter' of tomorrow evening's FA Cup replay at Scunthorpe was also crucial to Town's success in Staffordshire.
"There was no chance of the lads thinking about the Scunny game going into Saturday's match," Kerr continued.
"We all recognise that this is the perfect chance for us to go up this year. The league is not as strong as it has been in previous seasons.
"One cup tie can ruin your season sometimes and we aren't going to let that happen.
"The fans can enjoy tomorrow night and we'll be going there to win, but the main focus is the league and always has to be.
"We've got to focus on ourselves – we've got enough in this dressing room to go up. It's just a matter of delivering on that."
