Penalty award enrages boss Armstrong

BLYTH Spartans manager Alun Armstrong was sent to the stands as his promotion-chasing side fell to a crushing 4-1 defeat.

The Spartans, who had lost their previous two league games 1-0, had led through Sean Reid’s goal at leaders Salford City but collapsed in the second half.

Nick Haughton equalised before Tom Walker’s controversial secondhalf penalty put the hosts ahead.

Armstrong was sent to the stands for protesting the spot-kick before Haughton netted again and ex-Gateshead man Liam Hogan’s deflected header made it 4-1.

“We did well in the first half, though we took the lead against the run of play,” said Armstrong. “We dealt with everything they threw at us. The equaliser before half-time changed the whole game, however, and their second goal was never a penalty in a million years.

“It cost us the game and it is frustrating because we didn’t react to a poor decision. Salford punished our mistakes and the second half was disappointing.

“We need to make sure we pick our heads up now and bounce back on Saturday at home to Telford.”

Reid slid Spartans in front in the 20th minute and they looked set to take that lead before Haughton’s low drive levelled the scores.

Early in the second half, Nathan Buddle was judged to have brought down Mani Dieseruvwe in the box.

Walker scored the resulting 51st-minute penalty and the Ammies put the game to bed with a a quick-fire double through Haughton and Hogan before the hour. ■■SOUTH Shields kept up the pressure on Evo-Stik North leaders Hyde United with a 5-0 win over ten-man Ossett Town.

Marske United secured a 0-0 draw at Consett in Northern League Division One, while Sunderland RCA won for the fourth time in their last five games, coming from behind to win 2-1 at Dunston UTS.

Ryhope CW came out on top in a crucial relegation battle, beating Jarrow Roofing 3-1.

Tow Law Town look to have put an end to Heaton Stannington’s Division Two promotion hopes with a 3-0 win at Ironworks Road.

West Allotment left Durham City with a 3-1 win while Bedlington saw off Ryton and Crawcrook Albion 2-1 and Chester-le-Street Town drew 2-2 with Billingham Town.

In Northern Alliance Division One, Hazlerigg Victory won 6-1 at home to Cramlington Town.