Spartans sneak through

Blyth Spartans 2-1 Salford City
The FA Cup, sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Qualifying Replay
Tuesday 20 October
Croft Park, Blyth Spartans FC
Winning clubs receive £7500

Substitute John Alexander’s dramatic extra-time winner secured Blyth Spartans a place in The FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round with a 2-1 victory against Salford City on Tuesday night.
 
Alexander coolly slotted home on 112 minutes after the visitors had themselves grabbed a late equaliser to make it 1-1 after 90 minutes and forced extra-time. 
 
Blyth will now host AFC Telford United on Saturday after making hard work of a game they were expected to win.
 
The home side started brightly and Paul Brayson’s unmarked header on 34 minutes eased the nerves at Croft Park.
 
Blyth, who sit tenth in the Conference North, seemed to be cruising until Craig Mahon levelled for Salford with a beautiful curling effort on 81 minutes.
 
It was a sign of the same battling spirit that earned Paul Wright’s outfit a 2-2 draw in Salford and forced a replay when the sides originally clashed two weeks ago.
 
But just when the managers were started to contemplate the prospect of penalties, Alexander stepped up to finish a tidy move and finally end Salford’s brave cup run.