Spartans started on the attack but could have easily fallen behind after two minutes.

A left-sided corner by Craig Noone was only cleared to Ciaran Kilhenney whose effort rebounded to safety off the upright.

But on eight minutes the home side went behind – captain Chris Price releasing Kilhenney inside the area to run on and slot under the advancing Adam Bartlett.

Spartans had two good opportunities to draw level before the break, firstly Andy Johnson got the better of a hesitant goalkeeper Tony McMillian to a through pass but a defender cleared off the line and then Andy Leeson saw his effort cleared by Adam Flynn off the line as well.

With Johnson having taken a heavy challenge on the stroke of half-time Robert Dale replaced him at the interval.

He was straight into action setting up Alex Gildea to volley narrowly over from just outside the area.

But Spartans finally got a deserved leveller on 52 minutes.

A long free kick taken by Bartlett was flicked on by Dale straight into the path of the on--running Martin Houlahan who chipped the ball over the advancing McMillian.

Only four minutes later Dale got Blyth's second.

Chris McCabe linking up with Adrian Webster down the Spartans right before Gareth Williams deep cross was met by the head of Dale to put Blyth 2-1 ahead.

With the home side pressing for an equaliser the Blyth defence could only clear a corner out to Brian Moogan whose first time volley went like a bullet into the top right hand corner of Bartlett's net.

Spartans were reduced to ten men deep into added time, Gary Brown picking up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away at a free kick.

Blyth Spartans: A Bartlett, B Christensen, M Hedley, A Leeson, G Williams, G Brown, A Webster, C McCabe (P Snowdon), M Houlahan, A Johnson (R Dale), A Gildea (K Boyle). Subs not used: G Fenton, T Stephenson.


Forthcoming Blue Square North fixtures

• Saturday, March 29, Kettering, home, 3pm


• Saturday, April 5, Nuneaton, away, 3pm


• Saturday, April 12, Worcester City, home, 3pm