Blyth Spartans 1-0 Boston United

Phil Cave’s hotly-disputed spot-kick on the hour mark was the only thing preventing the match from finishing as a seemingly inevitable goalless draw.

Mikel Suarez and Marc Newsham had the Pilgrims’ best chances in the first half but United were unable to capitalise on the handful of chances created.

The Pilgrims had been forced to field a reshuffled backline, with full-backs Jordan Fairclough and Gareth Jelleyman ruled out ahead of kick-off. With Lee Canoville and Liam Parker also missing, Ben Wilkinson and Kevin Austin were deployed in the full-back positions.

United started well and Ryan Semple’s early cross was headed over the crossbar by Suarez.

Suarez then nodded down Danny Sleath’s deep cross and Semple crashed a drive agonisingly wide at the near post.

Chris Hall, operating on the left flank for the first time this season, saw a long-range effort well gathered by home keeper David Knight.

Paul Bastock produced a good sprawling save to deny Chris Emms, before beating away a Lee Mason drive and seeing Graeme Armstrong balloon the rebound over the bar.

United had a clear sight of goal moments after the break with Suarez’s towering header, following Ben Milnes’ free-kick, being inadvertently blocked by Newsham.

The Pilgrims were aggrieved when referee Andrew Miller awarded a penalty on the hour mark. Neal Hooks’ inswinging free-kick was adjudged to have touched Alan White’s arm and CAVE sent Bastock the wrong way from the spot.

United soon introduced Jason Lee and Kevin Holsgrove at the mid-point of the second half and the two combined almost instantaneously.

Hall’s deep cross was nodded down by Lee, but Holsgrove was unable to muster enough power to force the ball beyond Knight.

Holsgrove had another effort charged away by substitute Dave Coulson, while Hooks drilled inches too high for the hosts, as time ran out for the Pilgrims to force an equaliser.

Blyth (4-4-2): David Knight; Dylan Purvis (Richie Slaughter 87), Carl Jones, Wayne Buchanan, Phil Cave; Lee Mason (Adam Forster 53), Dan Groves, Neal Hooks, Chris Emms (Dave Coulson 76); Graeme Armstrong, John Alexander. Subs (not used): Phil Bannister, Matt Crook (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Ben Wilkinson, Tom Ward, Alan White, Kevin Austin; Ryan Semple, Ben Milnes, Danny Sleath, Chris Hall; Mikel Suarez (Kevin Holsgrove 68), Marc Newsham (Jason Lee 68). Subs (not used): Jason Field, Adam Millson, Andy Hewitt (gk).

Referee: Andrew Miller