Blyth Spartans 1-0 Marine

Marine and Blyth Spartans fought out a pulsating game in the North East on Tuesday night, the home side taking the points courtesy of Matty Pattison's penalty midway through the second half.

The match was ultimately a tale of two hotly disputed penalties, Blyth converting theirs with Marine's usually reliable spot kick expert Danny Mitchley seeing his well struck shot parried by custodian Adam McHugh deep in the bowels of injury time.

Both sides had some good chances to open the scoring in a tight first half, a good Blyth move down the left seeing Daniel Maguire set up Ryan Hutchinson for a strong volley which visiting goalkeeper Calvin Hare kept out with an excellent diving save.

Marine responded immediately with the ball being played to the other end for Mitchley to get behind the defence and beat the advancing McHugh to the ball, his lofted shot looking destined for the net before it drifted wide of the target on the balmy evening breeze.

Hare was soon in action again, the salmon shirted shotstopper pulling off another great block to deny Sean Reid at the far post after Robbie Dale had laid on an inviting cross from the left.

Joe Mwasile was a constant threat down the left flank all night for the Crosby club and he almost fashioned a goal as the half wore on, pouncing on hesitation in the home back line to race in to the area, before squaring across goal but no Marine players were on hand to put the ball in to the net.

Craig Lindfield fired in a strong shot on the turn which forced McHugh in to a good stop before Maguire found space on the left, the angle proving too tight as Hare hared to block at his feet.

Mwasile weaved his way in to the box again early in the second half to find Mitchley, the striker's shot missing the top corner but Spartans should have gone in front on the hour mark, substitute Michael Richardson seemingly having plenty of time and space to pick his spot from twelve yards, but only managing to steer his shot wide.

Controversy erupted on 65 minutes when Josh Brizell appeared to execute a clean tackle on Maguire, but referee Mr. Hopper thought otherwise and pointed to the spot to the obvious consternation of most of the Marine team. Pattison took full advantage and blasted the kick down the middle, giving Hare no chance of keeping it out.

Marine responded well and were always in the game, Mitchley - menacing as ever - coming within inches of levelling proceedings with a rasping drive from distance which clipped the foot of the far post.

Richardson might have made the game safe for the hosts as the clock ticked on, Maguire's testing low centre from the right just eluding the midfield man as he stretched to make contact.

Injury time drama then unfolded as Liam Goulding was fouled in the box for a perhaps equally generous penalty, Mitchley stepping up to place a firmly struck shot which McHugh saved well diving away to his left.

The Mariners piled on the pressure with a couple of corners, Goulding rising to head goalwards before Chris Bell somehow headed the ball off the line to deny the young centre back a last gasp equaliser.

Marine now turn their attention back to the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, when they travel to Nantwich Town in the Second Qualifying Round (3pm).

Blyth Spartans: Adam McHugh, Chris Bell, Michael Liddle, Gavin Caines, Ryan Hutchinson, Stephen Turnbull (Danny Parker 90), Matty Pattison (Alex Nicholson 81), Mathew Wade, Daniel Maguire, Sean Reid (Michael Richardson 57), Robbie Dale (Cap).

Unused subs: Luke Armstrong, Peter Jeffries (G/K). Cautions: None.

Marine: Calvin Hare, Josh Brizell, James Short, Liam Goulding, Warren Bellew (Chad Whyte 88), Robbie Threlfall (Cap), Alex Davies (Adam Hughes 81), Alan Burton, Danny Mitchley, Craig Lindfield, Joe Mwasile.

Unused subs: Billy Smart, James Foley, Liam Willis. Cautions: None.

Referee: Mr. G. Hopper; Assistants Mr. S. Birkett, Mr. P. Guard.

Attendance: 522.