Results ensure Spartans miss out on play-off spot
BLYTH Spartans were unable to sneak into the National League North playoffs after drawing against Nuneaton Town and seeing results go against Alun Armstrong’s men.
As Spartans looked to apply early pressure in the race for seventh, Dan Maguire thought he had given his side the lead after four minutes but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
News filtered through about Southport and Kidderminster’s leads against Spennymoor Town and Bradford Park Avenue respectively as Spartans fell behind in the 24th minute.
Moments before, Green had fed in Ashley Chambers – forcing a good save from Peter Jameson – Green himself broke the deadlock following a neat finish after being found in-behind the Blyth defence.
Blyth reacted fairly quickly and on 30 minutes, the visitors were left scratching their heads to how they hadn’t equalised.
Maguire lofted the ball over keeper Ross Etheridge and appeared to be bobbling in only for David McTiernan to stick a leg out on the goal line and divert the ball away from the target.
Two minutes later, a contentious offside decision then prevented Maguire once more after he headed home from inside the six-yard box from Andrew Cartwright’s cross.
Armstrong’s men carved out one last opportunity before half-time as Robbie Dale’s corner was cleared into the path of Adam Wrightson on the edge of the box, but despite a sweet connection, it floated over the bar.
Blyth’s hopes of reaching the playoffs took a blow as Spennymoor turned it around against Southport.
It was 28 minutes into the second half before any decent chances arrived – Nathan Buddle directing Cartwright’s corner just wide of the goal.
Blyth’s captain Dale dragged his side back into it as his low drive into the area found its way into the bottom right-hand corner.
And with the Spartans players knowing a win was required of them, they instantly committed bodies forward and were left short at the back, allowing Chambers to sneak in.
Spartans fought till the end and managed to carve out another equaliser courtesy of Reid’s shot from outside the box that sailed into the top corner.