Late derby winner leaves Spartans sickened but Moors merry

AN INJURY-time header from Spennymoor defender Chris Mason condemned Blyth Spartans to a 3-2 defeat.

A patched-up Blyth looked to be heading for their first draw of the season in front of a festive crowd of 1,179 at Croft Park.

The Spartans were again without leading marksmen Dan Maguire and Dale Hopson, along with defender Ryan Hutchinson and midfielder Damon Mullen.

Alun Armstrong’s side were unable to build on Saturday’s 3-2 win at York City and now lead Moors by just one point.

Both sides are in the top six of Vanarama National League North and go head to head again on New Year’s Day at the Brewery Field.

Armstrong said: “I was without the spine of the side but we should still have picked up a point.

“Spennymoor were very direct and there was nothing in what was a horrible game with little good football.

“We lost striker Greg Rutherford with a calf injury inside the opening 20 minutes and also had to play Sean Reid as a makeshift centreback.

“The two central defenders did exceptionally well but in the end a lack of concentration cost us dearly.” Nathan Buddle gave Blyth a 22nd-minute lead with a bullet header from Jarrett Rivers’ corner, former Spartan Glen Taylor levelling.

Gateshead loanee Kieran Green gave Blyth a half-time lead, only for Mark Anderson to level after 73 minutes.

Mason, who has played more than 300 games for the Moors, claimed the last-gasp winner to seal Blyth’s sixth home loss.