Blyth battle to draw as manager Armstrong seeks consistency

MIDFIELD man Sean Reid’s sixth goal of the season earned Blyth Spartans a battling 1-1 draw at Brackley Town.

Reid’s 67th-minute header into the roof of the net from substitute Kieran Green’s corner put Blyth in front.

It was a lead they were to hold at St James Park until seven minutes from time.

Brackley pressure had already seen Lee Ndlovu hit the bar when Matt Lowe found the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Blyth have now taken seven points from their last three away games, although they remain in the bottom six.

Manager Alun Armstrong had been critical of his side’s display in the 3-0 home defeat against FC United last weekend.

He was much happier on Saturday and now wants his players to show more consistency.

Armstrong said: “We have a tendency to play well against top-half sides, and not so good when facing lower-half clubs.

“Consistency is the key and also for the players to understand there are no easy games in National League North.

“We did well at Brackley, who are a strong side that is in form, and were close to nicking another away win.

“A draw was a fair result, and one I would have certainly taken before the game.”

Reid is now one goal behind top-scorer Dan Maguire, Blyth back at Croft Park this weekend against mid-table Curzon Ashton.