BLYTH Spartans had sufficient chances to win the game, but had to settle for a point in last night's Blue Square Bet North game with Stalybridge Celtic at Croft Park.
Blyth had the better of the first half, but despite creating a number of chances it was not until the 41st minute that they went ahead.
Shaun Utterson was agonisingly close to getting a touch to a vicious cross from Wayne Phillips, before a Joe Kendrick free-kick was turned away by goalkeeper Jan Budtz.
Spartans keeper Robert Birdsall smothered the ball at the feet of Mitchell Austin, but it was mostly Blyth with Jordon Mellish and Graeme Armstrong going close.
Just before the interval, the pressure was rewarded. Utterson's shot took a deflection off defender Rhys Meynell and Glen Taylor steamed in to score from close range.
Early in the second half, Blyth were close to a second goal as Neal Hooks' shot rattled the crossbar, but a minute later Stalybridge levelled.
The home defence should have cleared their lines and Mitchell Austin took advantage, rounding Birdsall before firing into the net.
Armstrong blazed over at the other end and with only two minutes remaining, he headed just wide from a Richie Slaughter corner.
BLYTH SPARTANS: Birdsall, Groves, Kendrick, Anzevui (Slaughter), Buchanan, Mellish, Utterson (Mason), Hooks, Armstrong, Taylor (Little), Phillips.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC: Budtz, Platt, Warburton, Meynell, J Bembo-Leta, Rea, Brogan, Wilkinson, Marsh, Gnahua (D Bembo-Leta), Austin (Hobson)
Ref: Mr Turner
Att: 339.
