It wasn't his choice, but it had its benefits.

The referee, after consulting his assistant, decided that Dunn should be sent to the stand from his technical area.

The cover provided a warm welcome in more ways than one - shelter from the intermittent snow showers and a complimentary drinks service.

Dunn said: "It began when the home centre half went through the back of Robbie Dale and I queried why he wasn't booked.

"A few more words were exchanged later, the ref came over, had a chat with his assistant, and then said 'Harry, I think you'd better go to the stand'.

"Actually it was quite pleasant in there.

"One of their supporters went to get me a nice hot cup of tea and since I didn't need my hat on anymore another offered to take it round the crowd to collect some cash to pay my fine!"

Dunn also had a satisfyingly warm feeling inside at the final whistle having witnessed the Spartans dominate the second half of the game to come away with a fully deserved point which leaves Blyth five places off the bottom of the league and five points clear of a relegation position.

Although, as Dunn pointed out, any latecomer watching Saturday's game would have been hard pressed to tell which side was near the wrong end of the league and which was lying in a play off position.

"I told the lads at half-time when we were one down that we weren't playing world beaters," he said.

"Nuneaton were strong but with little flair.

"I think that if we'd had Phil Bell and Andy Johnson fit we could well have won it.

"We played really well with substitute Ged Dalton excellent up front.

"Gareth Williams and the rest of the defence also did well to keep the league's leading scorer, Andy Brown, quiet. It was important that we avoided defeat."

Nuneaton proved to be surprisingly compliant opposition.

Dunn suggested that their like-for-like substitutions played into Blyth's hands as the visitors didn't need to change their play.

He himself brought off Adrian Webster and the ill Martin Houlahan and replaced them with Chris McCabe and Michael Hedley.

"McCabe and Hedley are both good in the air and can tackle too so their introduction helped us protect our point," added Dunn.

Worcester City visit Croft Park this weekend and Dunn is struggling with players missing.

"Ben Christensen and Alex Gildea are both on a course in advance of coaching in the USA this summer, while Peter Snowdon and Richard Hodgson are working.

"It's frustrating losing players at this crucial stage of the season but we will have defender Gary Brown back and possibly Andrew Johnson too."

Recently signed striker David Onions will remain at Northern League Marske until the end of their season.

Dunn hopes to return to his usual pitchside match position for the game, forsaking any grandstand luxuries.

"It's certainly where I prefer to be. I don't know if I'll hear from the FA this week about the Nuneaton game, we'll have to see" he said.

"I know I should have kept my mouth shut – but it's hard sometimes!"