Trafford Sport

Blyth Spartans 1 Altrincham 1

12:43pm Wednesday 25th January 2012

ALTRINCHAM snatched an equaliser from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of added time at relegation threatened Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night.

The goal was scored by Damian Reeves, his 32nd of the season in the tenth successive match in which he has scored.

But before that late drama it was Blyth who had shown the greater commitment as they closed down Alty efficiently at every opportunity, particularly in the second half.

In a goalless first half, Altrincham had looked the better footballing side but the game was interrupted too often by passages of scrappy play.

Midfielder Chris Lynch was on the end of two challenges which caused him head injuries and he finished the half in the numberless blood shirt.

Blyth came out battling after the interval and got their reward in the 57th minute when Glen Taylor scored from close range after a team-mate had been allowed to get to the byline, left of goal. The resulting cross evaded Adam Reid in the Alty goal and was converted at the back post.

Alty applied some late pressure but it looked to be of no avail till Lawrie was pushed over in the outer reaches of the box and, to the annoyance of the partisan home crowd, the referee quite rightly pointed to the spot.

Reeves's penalty ensured Alty retained seventh place in the league table and a win on Saturday at Gainsborough would put them into the play-off positions.

ALTRINCHAM Adam Reid; Matt Flynn, Adie Hawes, Mark Lees, Nicky Clee; Kieran Walmsley, Shaun Densmore (cpt), Chris Lynch, James Lawrie; Michael Twiss, Damian Reeves: Subs Adam Flynn, Neil Tolson, James Holden, Brian Summerskill

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