PADDY Atkinson had said Blyth's performance against FC United of Manchester was their best since he was appointed manager.

Spartans, though, still lost and Atkinson still felt "disappointed".

Down to the "bare bones" through injury and Newcastle United depriving them the services of loan pair Marcus Maddison and Michael Riley – who had fledgling Magpies duties yesterday – Blyth compounded matters by allowing an early lead to be overturned through attacking and defensive negligence.

Atkinson said: "I'm disappointed. We said at half-time if we switched off it would cost us the game,and that's exactly what happened.

"We missed a lot of chances, and could have been sitting 3-1 or 4-1 up.

“Robbie Dale hit the bar and young Dan Maguire put a free header wide in the six-yard box.

"We didn't take our chances, showed a little bit of inexperience in front of goal, and then we were caught by the suckerpunch, so we're disappointed."

Not least because Spartans started so well.

Inside six minutes Richie Slaughter won possession in midfield, chipped over the FC United defence and Phil Airey sprang clear to fire past James Spencer.

The advantage was short-lived, however, as Dean Stott converted from Nicky Platt's corner eight minutes later.

Still though, Blyth pressed. Joe Kendrick was denied by Spencer, Dale by a post and debutante Maguire headed off target.

At the other end, Conor Grant saved from Matthew Tierney and Mick Norton but the latter won it, tapping in from close range following Cedric Krou's run.

BLYTH SPARTANS: Grant; Utterson, Kendrick, Slaughter, Buchanan, Donnelly (Mellish), Mason, Vipond,Airey, Maguire, Dale (Turnbull).

FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER: Spencer; Jacob, Neville, Birch, Jones, Stott, Wolenden, Tierney, Norton, Wright, Platt.

Referee: Mr Martin. Attendance: 617.