Blyth Spartans v Bamber Bridge | Saturday, 26 October 2024 - 15:00 | League

Blyth Spartans scored late to rescue a point through Joe Oliver in a 1-1 draw with Bamber Bridge.

Bamber opened the scoring after 28 minutes through Adam Dodd, but the game was salvaged through Joe Oliver's late strike.

The first action of the match saw the Spartans score early through Billy Gordon as he slotted home a rebounded shot from Sam Hodgson, but it was ruled out for offside.

Soon after, Michael Woods hit a low cross into the box and found Cyril Giraud who saw his effort sail high above the crossbar.

Defender Ben Fell had a great headed chance from a corner which flashed wide of the target minutes later.

Bamber's first opportunity came after 20 minutes when Chris Churchman had an effort hit wide from the edge of the area.

Hodgson then went up the other end of the pitch and struck a low and powerful effort towards goal, which was parried away by Pradic.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead through Adam Dodd, who scored from a second ball off a corner.

The Spartans responded well after going a goal down as Connor Pani's effort from the edge of the area was narrowly wide.

Connor Leigh then tried an audacious effort from around 45-yards-out, which was never going to trouble Adam Richardson.

Spartans then had a brilliant chance to level it, but Pradic made an exceptional save to deny Hodgson from close range, but the rebound fell to Woods who had an open goal in front of him, however, Dodd did well to block his effort off the line.

The final action of the half saw Jarma Mohamed rifle the crossbar from six-yards-out for the visitors.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-1 Bamber Bridge

The opening 10 minutes of the second half saw end-to-end football with both sides having half-chances in each other's boxes.

At the hour mark Woods had a free-kick from short range, but his effort was hit over the crossbar, before having another chance two minutes later which was blocked by a Brig defender.

On the 74th minute, Bamber's time-wasting ramped up as Dodd decided to kick the ball away for a Spartans throw-in. Referee Sam Ross went straight to his book to show Dodd a yellow card. Dodd decided to retaliate to the referee and was quickly shown a second yellow card for dissent as he received his marching orders.

Dodd wasn't the only one to receive two quick cards as Bamber's manager Jamie Milligan was shown a yellow card on the touchline, however, he didn't quite get the memo to be quiet and continued his rant, only to be shown a second yellow card from Ross and was sent to the stands.

And finally, after numerous chances throughout the game, the Spartans finally scored as Joe Oliver's spectacular curling effort found the back of the net with 10 minutes to play.

Blyth continued to push forward after grabbing their equaliser as Pani had an effort from distance that went just wide of the target.

However, the last action of the game saw a phenomenal save from Richardson to parry the ball off the post and away from danger to deny Bamber a last-minute winner.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 1-1 Bamber Bridge