Clarke’s goal was fitting reward for his sheer work ethic in creating opportunities up front and harassing any Lake’s counter-attacks.

His midfield mates Matt Comerford, Matt Thompson and Ryan Broadley ran themselves into the ground but were still able to deliver sublime touches even as the heavy workload of the past month took its toll.

The Magpies defence stood tall, particularly in a final 20 minute flurry as the fresher Lake Macquarie finished full of legs.

Magpies coach Phil Dando was delighted with his whole team’s effort and to keep back-to-back clean sheets after Wednesday’s catch-up game 1-0 win against Weston Bears.

Sunday’s win lifts Maitland to fourth place on the NPL ladder with 13 points behind Hamilton Olympic on goal difference.

Hamilton had a 2-0 win against Maitland’s Coalfields rivals Weston at Darling Street Oval on Sunday.

Dando said his side was probably a couple of points short of where he thought they would be at the start of the season.

“But I had no idea what we were going to face. To get 13 points from seven games in 25 days is a real testament to the character of this team,” he said. “We have tired in the last 20 minutes of all our games, but its to be expected given the workload.

“We are tracking very well and enter a less frantic section of the season, although having said that we have Warners Bay on Tuesday in the FFA Cup and Broadmeadow on Sunday.

“We are aiming to reach at least the stage of 32 and hopefully draw an A-League team so we will still have mid-week fixtures just not so many.”