Spartans made hard work of this Northumberland Senior Cup encounter against Northern League neighbours Ashington. In the lower opposition pushed the home side all the way until 2 late goals saved the Spartans blushes.

In fact it was the visitors who opened the more lively, Ross Young’s free kick being tipped away by Adam Bartlett in the Blyth goal.

Ashington took the lead on 63 minutes. A poorly defended corner found the ball at Young’s feet his looping ball into the penalty area saw Ross Atkinson allowed to turn and hit home.

Spartans equalised with 15 minutes remaining, Michael Hedley finding substitute Rob Dale wide on the left and his inch perfect cross was met by Scott Bell at the far post to head home.

Then with the match looking as if it was going into extra time up popped Christian Graham to bundle home a rebound off the cross bar from Chris McCabe’s header.

Spartans third came from a neatly worked corner. Bell playing it short to Graham who fed in Gareth Williams just inside the area to shoot past Paul Simspon.

Spartans: 1 Adam Bartlett, 2 Chris Shanks (sub Gareth Williams), 3 Kenny Boyle, 4 Ben Christensen 5 Peter Snowdon, 6 Liam Gildea (sub Rob Dale), 7 Christian Graham, 8 Michael Hedley, 9 Liam Atkin (sub Chris McCabe), 10 Scott Bell, 11 Alex Gildea.
Subs not used: - Richard Forster and Andrew Leeson.