Blyth Spartans 1 Accrington Stanley 1

A BATTLING second half performance by Stanley earned them a point at third-placed Blyth Spartans.

Stanley went a goal behind after 12 minutes when their defence failed to clear a ball played in from the right. Steve Locker evaded Jez Baldwin's challenge to score.

Five minutes later Stanley's Brian Welch headed just wide from a Stuart Taylor cross.

Blyth could have increased their lead on 26 minutes when Darren Nicholls intercepted a poor back pass, rounded keeper John McKenna, but fired over.

Six minutes later McKenna made a superb diving save from Young and when the ball was played back into the penalty area Young fired over.

Stanley gave a debut to substitute Nigel Greenwood, brother of manager Tony on 39 minutes for the injured Taylor.

The Reds equalised on 53 minutes when a speculative shot by Neil Edmunds from outside the penalty area left veteran keeper John Burridge stranded.

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