Blyth Spartans 1 Ilkeston Town 4 (Match Report)

Saturday 31st October
Blue Square North
Attendance - 562

BLYTH SPARTANS

: Bell, Harrison, Boyle, Tait, Williams, Craddock, McCabe, Turnbull, Brayson, Graham (Alexander), Donninger (Webster).

SPARTANS played for an hour with 10 men after Kenny Boyle saw red for a late challenge on David Graham which resulted in him going to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Blyth were still licking their wounds following Tuesday's heavy defeat in the FA Cup, and they again conceded another four goals in under an hour.

After only two minutes Neil Hooks went close for the visitors but five minutes later the home side were chasing the game.

Sam Duncan was the provider for Amari Morgan-Smith to find the net at the far post.

In the 15th minute Tom Bonner picked out Graham who rolled the ball into an empty net.

For a time, Spartans rallied and only an excellent save by goalkeeper Dan Lowson prevented Paul Brayson from reducing the deficit.

Morgan-Smith twice went close before scoring his second in the 30th minute.

Lowson confidently gathered a 25-yard drive from Boyle whose dismissal came five minutes later.

Aaron Mitchell headed wide of the Blyth goal when it looked easier to score but Ilkeston went four goals up as Morgan-Smith completed his hat-trick.

Blyth managed a consolation seven minutes from time as Adrian Webster headed in at the far post.