Spartans legend’s strike leads to victory

IT was a landmark day for Blyth Spartans legend Robbie Dale as he got the only goal of the game to help Alun Armstrong’s side secure a muchneeded win at Southport,

There was an element of fortune about the winning goal from the long-serving winger as his corner deceived former Gateshead keeper Dan Hanford and landed in the net.

Not that Dale will case, as the goal takes him up to jointsecond in the all-time list of Spartans goalscorers alongside Stephen Pyle.

The opening half was a lowkey affair with both sides struggling to create anything of note.

Spartans keeper Peter Jameson had to be alert to deny Port strikers Dion Charles and Jack Sampson.

Dale almost opened the scoring in the last minute of the half as he found some space on the edge of the area, but fired a shot wide of the goal.

Jameson denied Charles again in the early stages of the second half and his save was rewarded moments later as Dale wrote his name further into the Croft Park club’s history books.

The goal woke up Southport and they went close with efforts from Marcus Wood and Ryan Astles threatening Spartans’ lead.

The hosts ramped up the pressure in the closing stages and Jameson parried a powerful drive from former Nunea- ton Town midfielder David Morgan to preserve his side’s lead.

There was to be one last chance for Southport to secure a point, but Jason Gilchrist fired wide in the fourth minute of added-on time and that was enough to give Spartans all three points and move them up to 17th in the National League North table. Blyth boss Alun Armstrong