No lucky Brake for the Spartans as they hit a spot of trouble

LOWLY Leamington put the brakes on Blyth’s recent revival as Alun Armstrong’s men pulled up short in the Midlands.

The Brakes avenged a single-goal defeat at Blyth in Novemberwith a 1-0 victory at the New Windmill Ground.

Daniel Udoh scored the decisive goal five minutes into the second half, though Blyth had the chance to salvage a point.

A foul on defender Ryan Hutchinson gave Spartans a 73rd-minute penalty – but with regular spot-kick taker Dale Hopson pulling out of the travelling squad on Friday night Sean Reid (pictured right) was handed the task.

The versatile midfielder could not get the better of Brakes’ goalkeeper Tony Breeden and Blyth returned home pointless.

Armstrong said: “It is typical when we get a penalty our regular taker is not available, though Reid is normally clinical. It is disappointing because we worked hard and deserved to get something out of the game – but it was not to be.”

Armstrong believes the poor state of the playing surface did his side no favours.

He added: “The pitch was terrible – a massive leveller – and that led to a poor game as we could not get our passing game together.

“We gave away a sloppy goal and did not take our chances – and I just knew Reid would miss the penalty when we got it.”