BLUE SQUARE NORTH.

Vauxhall Motors ...............................1 Blyth Spartans ................................. 1 DESPITE relentless pressure in the late stages, Blyth Spartans failed to claim a winner in last night's Blue Square North game at Vauxhall Motors.

The visitors successfully rallied after conceding an early goal and with better finishing and a bit of luck, would have returned home with all three points.

Vauxhall made a dream start, scoring after just two minutes. Robbie Booth delivered a deep cross to the far post where Chris Noone fired past goalkeeper Jack Norton.

Blyth immediately retaliated and when Robbie Dale released Paul Brayson, the ace striker was just off target with keeper Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton well beaten.

Brayson though was not to be denied and on 22 minutes converted a penalty awarded after Josh Gillies had been fouled by Josh Wilson.

Spartans had much the better of the second half. Dale again split the home defence only for Brayson to chip over the crossbar.

Brayson then pinpointed a centre to the far post and John Alexander's header was parried back to him but his follow-up drive was cleared from the line.

It was all Blyth and Steven Turnbull, Gillies and Alexander all went near but with eight minutes remaining Spartans could well have conceded victory when only a superb save by Norton denied Lee Furlong.

VAUXHALL MOTORS: St Louis-Hamilton, Moogan, Dames, Lane, Hannigan, Wilson, Egerton, Booth, Noon, Furlong, Noone. Subs (not used): Davies, Hine, Wright, Keith Smith, Holden.

Goal: Noone 4. BLYTH SPARTANS: Norton, Harrison, Brackstone, McCabe, Williams, Craddock, Gillies, Turnbull, Brayson, Alexander, Dale. Subs (not used): Tait, Bell, Leeson, Boyle, Webster.

Goal: Brayson 23 pen. Attendance: 176 Referee: A Newell (North Gate).