Stalybridge Celtic 0 Blyth Spartans 0

Spartans travelled with a small squad, with only 3 subs named. Robert Dale out with ankle ligament damage, Scott Bell unavailable, Afelobi Shekoni out with a broken toe and Richard Hodgson released joining Sunderland Nissan.

Michael Maidens on his last game for the Spartans – due to his loan period from Hartlepool United caused the home side problems all match. Maidens burst into the penalty area before finding Graham Fenton with his pass, Fenton chipped the ball up towards the back post where stand in forward Richard Forster sliced his effort wide.

The home side were awarded a penalty on 25 minutes. Peter Snowdon fouling Matty Barlow in the area. The result being luckily for the Blyth skipper only a caution from referee Dunn. Celtics captain Paul Sykes took the spot kick which man of the match Adam Bartlett managed to get two fists to turn away the spot kick.

On the half hour, got passing between Fenton and Chris McCabe finally found the ball at the feet of the over lapping Andy Leeson in the box, his centre found the head of Forster who brought a good save out of home keeper Paul Gamble.

So the stroke of half time the home side had the ball in the Spartans net. Ashley Burberry finding the head of Matty Barlow but the referee had already awarded Spartans a free kick for a push on Michael Coulthard.

The second half saw the Spartans mostly on the back foot. However, Fenton picked out Maidens wide on the right wing he cut into the penalty area before nearly catching out Gamble with a delicate chip which the keeper had to back track to turn over.

At the other end Celtic pushed for a winner but found their way blocked by Bartlett in first class form. Carlos Roca bringing the best out of the Spartans keeper with a downward header which Bartlett turned around at his post.

Spartans : 1 Adam Bartlett, 2 Gareth Williams, 3 Ben Christensen (sub Kenny Boyle), 4 Peter Snowdon, 5 Michael Coulthard, 6 Andrew Leeson, 7 Andrew Thompson, 8 Chris McCabe, 9 Graham Fenton (sub Christian Graham), 10 Richard Forster (sub Michael Hedley), 11 Michael Maidens