Blyth Spartans v Leek Town | Saturday, 8 February 2025 - 15:00 | League

Blyth Spartans v Leek Town | Saturday, 8th February 2025 - 15:00 | League

Spartans were denied victory by a sucker punch 90th minute equaliser.

Blyth took the lead in the 25th minute thanks to Harry Gardiner, who was initially on the bench but ended up starting due to an injury to Nicky Deverdics. Spartans managed to hold on to their lead until the 90th minute when second half substitute Dylan Scott grabbed an equaliser after sustained pressure from Leek Town.

The early stages of the game were well-fought between both sides with neither able to create many clear cut chances. In the 15th minute, Scully sent a ball into the box that didn't get as much curl as he intended and it was comfortably saved by Walpole.

Walpole, who signed from Huddersfield on loan just a day before the game due to an injury to Basey, put in an excellent display on his debut and managed to deny Leek Town on several occasions.

In 25th minute, Spartans took the lead when Giraud managed to charge his way down the left wing while holding off pressure from defenders and got the ball into the box for Dixon, who came on for Hooper 4 minutes earlier. Dixon was able to get the ball into the feet of Gardiner who tapped the ball into the back of the net.

Leek Town put more pressure on Blyth in the later stages of the first half with Campbell in particular looking like he might score on a few occasions. In the 36th minute, he had an effort from range that looked like it might dip in over the head of Walpole but it went over the bar and landed on the roof of the net. Then, in the 43rd minute, he nearly got on the end of a headed flick on by Shenton towards the far post.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 1-0 Leek Town

Spartans started the second half strongly when Giraud was found in space around the penalty spot but his effort at goal was saved by Visser. In the 55th minute, Oliver whipped in a cross towards Holvey at the back post but he wasn't able to get any clean contact on it and it hit the side netting.

In the 65th minute, Gardiner had a great opportunity to get a second of the game when he managed to turn his marker and make a run towards goal but just as he was getting close to a shot, the defender managed to get a tackle in.

Five minutes later, Dixon had a chance to double Blyth's lead when he made a run into the box to get on the end of a cross but his shot was straight at Visser.

As the match marched on towards the closing stages of the second half, Leek Town began to have more possession and put more pressure on the Blyth goal as they went looking for an equaliser.

A great save by Walpole at his near post in the 76th minute denied Leek as they continued to put the pressure on.

Blyth had another chance to double their lead when Giraud got on the end of a through ball and charged towards goal. Once in the box, he cut onto his left foot and tried to curl the ball past Visser but he was able to get a hand on it.

Leek Town then delivered a sucker punch to Blyth as they equalised through an effort from Scott from the edge of the box into the far bottom corner of the goal.

Spartans continued to fight despite this and looked for a winner in the remaining minutes of added time. Aitken thought he'd beaten the offside trap and put the ball in the back of the net but the flag was up. He then got a chance with the last kick of the game when he had an effort from range that went just wide of the near post.

The game ended level and Spartans must now take their spirited performance with them when they face Gainsborough Trinity away on Saturday.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 1-1 Leek Town

Blyth Spartans - Walpole, Oliver, Myers, Richardson, Ridley (c), Almond, Giraud, Briggs, Hooper (Dixon, 20), Holvey, Gardiner (Aitken, 68)

Subs not used - Hogan, Burke, Griggs

Goals - Gardiner 25'

Yellow cards - Holvey 45+5'

Leek Town - Visser (c), Buckley (Onyeka, 60), Ndene, Curl, Edwards (Okome, 5), Heywood, Reeves, Scully (Scott, 61), Hurst, Shenton (Weir, 69), Campbell

Subs not used - Milner

Goals - Scott 90'

Yellow cards - Reeves 45+5', Scully 75'

Referee - Scott Henry