Blyth make a point... and are ten clear
BLYTH Spartans came from behind to earn a precious point in their top-two clash against Nantwich town in difficult conditions at the Weaver Stadium.
A double from in-form striker Luke Armstrong was enough to maintain the 10-point gap between Blyth and the second-placed Dabbers after a hard fought 2-2 draw.
Armstrong had given Spartans the lead on the half hour, but Josh Hancock levelled before the break.
John Johnston then put the home side in front three minutes into the second period only for Armstrong to earn a draw with a 61st minute strike.
Manager Alun Armstrong was delighted with his side’s character to come from behind and pick up a vital point against a title rival.
Armstrong said: “We could have won the game as we had a perfectly good goal ruled out and had a good penalty shout turned down.
“We played 5-3-2 in the first half it worked brilliantly offensively but we struggled at the back, so changed it.
“The two lads up front did well again.
“Luke took his goals well and I’m certainly not going to complain at coming away with a point.”
Armstrong beat his man down the Nantwich right before powering a low finish beyond Dan Gyollai to give Blyth the lead.
The Dabbers equalised through Josh Hancock’s spectacular overhead kick that flew past Spartans keeper Paul Woolston.
Johnston cut inside to put the Dabbers ahead only for Armstrong to rescue a point for Blyth when he rounded Gyollai to roll the ball into the net.