FA Cup: Non-league Blyth Spartans stun Hartlepool 2-1 in second round
Jarrett rivers hit a last minute winner to trigger non-league Blyth Spartans in the third round of the FA Cup with a memorable 2-1 win at Hartlepool Friday night.
Side Evo-Stik Northern Premier League trailed at halftime on a goal by Jonathan Franks, but superb free kick by Stephen Turnbull got their return to conditions level before rivers burst into the area and fired into the far corner to seal a famous upset.
The game was billed a potential clash in the pre-match build-up, but Hartlepool have dominated the first half at Victoria Park and took a lead in the 31st minute when striker Franks headed home at the far post.
The League two wrestlers pushed several clear chances to double their lead before the break and they were made to pay for their profligacy when midfielder Spartans Turnbull curled home delicious free kick 11 minutes after the interval to equalize.
Marlon Harewood thought that he had delivered Hartlepool home second in the 66th minute as Blyth Peter Jeffries goalkeeper fumbled his shot on the turn, but, while replays suggest that all the ball had crossed the line, referee Andrew Madley was impassive.
Blyth, who reached the fifth round in 1977-78 and 3rd round in 2008-2009, grew in confidence as the second half wore and the last minute, they were rewarded for their spirited efforts.
The rivers striker skipped past a challenge of left-back Dan Jones, ran in the Hartlepool area and fired a low shot through goalkeeper pools Scott Flinders and into the net.
Hartlepool has six minutes of extra time where to find the equalizer and they almost did when central defender Matthew Bates took from the edge of the area, but his shot cannoned in off the cross bar before being hacked to safety.
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