Tamworth 1 Blyth Spartans 1 (Match Report)

Saturday 14th March 2009
Blue Square North
Tamworth 1 Blyth Spartans 1

Spartans: Paul Farman, Kenny Boyle, John Brackstone, Gareth Williams, Richard Pell, Andy Leeson, Adrian Webster, Chris McCabe, Robert Dale (sub Gary Brown 72 mins), Marc Walton (sub Stuart Banks 84 mins), Simon Todd.

Subs not used: Ged Dalton, Shaun Reay & Adam Laidlaw.

Spartans picked up a valuable point on their day trip to the Midlands.

Tamworth pushing Spartans neighbours Gateshead for automatic promotion to the Conference National went behind to a 55 minute goal from Chris MCabe. A long punt up field by Paul Farman was played onto Robert Dale by Marc Walton, Dale sliding the ball into the stride of McCabe who chipped the advancing keeper Danny Alcock.

A free kick flagged up by an assistant, give the opportunity for Gareth Sheldon to equalise from the free kick on the edge of the Spartans penalty area on 66 minutes.

The withdrawal of Dale on 72 give the home side the inportuos and Blyth nearly paid the price when Matt Birley saw his goal bound shot held by Farman down to his right deep into injury time.