I would say Div 3 South, was a lower standard than Div 3, on the basis that a lot of the teams were probably Div 4 standard, and better teams in Div 3 North were avoided. This is why I prefer to use Div 3 since 1958 as a more reliable yardstick, when comparing degrees of shitness,
This is indeed a relevant comparison, impossible to compare fully when the division was split geographically.
I remember the 83-84 season very well, we had a couple of great results that year such as the 7-0 away win at Kettering and other FA Cup games against Carlisle and Millwall.
But that side was pretty dire in general and we played some very poor football culminating in 3 home attendances of under 2,000 and a handful of under 2,500, partly due to Beamish's inept man management skills and tactical inability.
Interestingly thought, we never looked like we wouldn't win a game (which we certainly do now) thoughout that season and certainly never went on as bad a winless run as we are in now.