Goalkeeper Dan Ellis pulled off another crucial penalty save for Hollands & Blair on Saturday as they claimed maximum points from a “must win” match.

Boss Scott Porter had made it clear pre-match that his team had to win as they looked to build on a run of encouraging performances in the SCEFL Premier Division, and they did just that, winning 1-0 thanks to a looping header from striker Richard Atkins.

Atkins had earlier hit the bar for Blair and a controversial penalty decision left Ellis needing to do what he’s got a reputation for, saving a shot from 12 yards..

Ellis’ penalty heroics guided Blair to the Challenge Cup final last season with saves in shootout wins at the quarter-final and semi-final stage, to see off both Kennington and Bearsted.

The goalkeeper once saved a penalty for his old club Chatham while nursing a broken leg and his form has continued this season, saving twice against Kennington in another shootout and pulling off another couple of saves and scoring the crucial one himself to beat K Sports on penalties in the Kent Senior Trophy last month.

Porter was delighted to see his influential keeper pulling off another big save at the weekend, saying: “It was an important win and it didn’t matter how we got it, we did enough to win the game and apart from Dan Ellis’ penalty save, which was never ever a penalty in a million years they didn’t trouble us.

“We had enough chances to make the game a little more comfortable but we will take that all day long.

“Dan has got us to where we are now really, he got us to the cup final last season and he got us to the next round of the Kent Senior Trophy this year.

“He is a massive player for us, he is our vice captain and was captain on Saturday (with Louis Valencia starting from the bench). He’s a massive presence in goal and his penalty saves speak volumes.

“It was a turning point in the game. Richard Atkins then goes up the other end and scores and it was a great header, a quality ball in the box from Noddy (James Nurden). It was a well deserved victory.”

Since moving to Blair from Lydd, match-winner Atkins has scored three goals in four games.

Porter said: “He is an old style centre-forward, he wants the ball into him, he wins headers, he talks to people around him and he has scored with three headers and all three have been top drawer.

“He has been a big plus for us after losing Dean Grant and I had to act quickly (when Grant left for Lydd). I think he benefits from the way we play and the goal he scored on Saturday was a quality header.”

Victory meant Blair could enjoy their pre-planned Christmas night out after the game a little bit more.

Porter’s men have the luxury of a weekend off now - a 21-team division means someone has to sit it out and it’s Blair turn - which means they can now relax before a home game against Medway neighbours Lordswood on Saturday, December 30.

The Blair manager is delighted they can now have a break off the back of a win and a rare Christmas period off.

Porter said: “We needed to win to make the Christmas period a lot better going into the break that we’ve got.

“We haven't got a game for a while and we didn't want to lose or draw, especially at home, it is pleasing and everyone can now enjoy themselves.

“We’ll train in the Christmas week but I have never had it before where I have time off over this period so I can enjoy my Christmas Day with family and friends!”