Blyth Spartans 3-0 Boston United

The Pilgrims were second best throughout at Croft Park and fell behind to Michael Liddle’s strike five minutes before half-time.

Sean Reid and Dan Maguire subsequently scored either side of Louis Laing’s dismissal for a wild challenge on Brad Abbott as the hosts wrapped up a comfortable home win.

United produced some neat passages of play during the opening period but lacked a final ball to seriously test the home rearguard.

Blyth carried the greater threat and Maguire saw an effort deflect wide off Ryan Cresswell at the near post, while Kieran Green’s header dropped wide from a Liddle cross.

George Willis stuck out a strong hand to repel Robbie Dale’s angled free-kick but Spartans were soon in front.

Dale turned provider to slip LIDDLE Into a shooting position and the home full-back beat Willis at his near post with a low finish.

Having supplied the ammunition for Blyth’s opener five minutes before the break, Dale repeated the feat five minutes after half-time by clipping in a cross which was headed home at the back post by REID.

The Pilgrims were afforded a potential lifeline in the 76th minute when Laing’s high boot cut Abbott’s nose and he received his marching orders from referee Sam Barrott.

It was the home side who added their third goal three minutes later when MAGUIRE seized upon defensive chaos to bend the ball past Willis, who had tried in vain to quell the danger.

Late chances fell to Jay Rollins and birthday boy Max Wright, but the Pilgrims were unable to reduce the arrears.

Blyth Spartans (4-2-3-1): Peter Jameson; Alex Nicholson, Louis Laing, David Atkinson, Michael Liddle; Damon Mullen, Kieran Green (Nathan Buddle 74); Jarrett Rivers, Sean Reid, Robbie Dale (Adam Wrightson 74); Dan Maguire (Jordan Watson 83). Subs (not used): Lewis Horner, Jack Butler.

Boston (4-3-3): George Willis; Ben Davies, Ryan Cresswell, Ryan Qualter, George Smith; Brad Abbott (Jonathan Wafula 80), Nicky Wroe, Andi Thanoj (Ashley Jackson 64); Jay Rollins, Nicky Walker (Tom Clare 64), Max Wright. Sub (not used): Ben Middleton, Cameron Hawkes.

Referee: Sam Barrott.

Attendance: 632.