Tom talks - after the Ramsbottom game

Resilience appears to be a quality the current Spartans squad has in spades. It was certainly in evidence in Thursday evening at Ramsbottom in coming back from two goals down in the dying minutes to draw 3-3.

"The way we kept going was great. Out players showed their outstanding dedication to the club," said Blyth manager Tom Wade. "Getting the draw in a gripping finale was sweet. We should have been two or three goals ahead early on but missed chances. When we equalised just after the break it looked like only one team would go on to win. But we lacked a bit of spark and Ramsbottom scored two goals the like of they will never score again.

"For the first we were shouting for the lad to shoot because we thought from that range and angle he'd never score. When the ball went in I got the shock of my life! Their third goal, well. I don't know if was a cross or a shot but it flew in.

"Ash Davis came on for us and changed things. He made a massive difference. He's been in America but not playing so needs to get fitter but he can go on to be an important player for us.

"We go in to Saturday's fixture with Stourbridge looking to get back to winning ways. The play offs look a long shot now, but not impossible."