SBlue Square North
Blyth Spartans 2 Leigh RMI 0

Spartans faced an important bottom of the table clash with fellow strugglers Leigh at Croft Park on Saturday, 36 hours after getting home from their Setanta Shield clash against Stalybridge on Thursday night.

Manager Harry Dunn was forced to make a couple of changes, with Captain Peter Snowden missing through illness Kenny Boyle, also he made a alteration in the centre of midfield with Chris McCabe coming in for Alex Gildea. Also recent signings Adrian Webster, Phil Bell, Richard Logan and Andrew Johnson would all make their home debuts.

To be honest the visitors showed little as an attacking force, with the Spartans taken the lead after 25 minutes. An Adrian Webster was only cleared to the feet of Robert Dale, he side stepped 2 defenders before chipping the ball over the out stretched fingers of keeper John Lamb.

Another Webster corner was met by Andrew Leeson who headed just wide with 3 minutes remaining of the first half.

On the stroke of half time Richard Logan tried his luck from range and Phil Bell was unable to turn the ball home from a tight angle.

The second was played out as much of the first, Spartans dominating with Leigh showing little idea. But hearts were still in mouths until the late second goal came. Captain on the day Richard Forster hammered in a 35 yarder which dipped and clipped the top of the cross bar, before the 89th minute second from Johnson. A Ben Christiensen free kick was flick on by Dale for Johnson to volley home.

SPARTANS: Bartlett, Christiensen, Boyle, Leeson, Forster, Williams, Webster (A Gildea), McCabe, Dale, Bell (Hedley), Logan (Johnson).
Subs not used:- Thompson & L Gildea