Monday's Premier Division action review

Blyth Spartans are still playing catch-up with their EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Premier Division fixtures after their fantastic FA Cup exploits and it would still be a remarkable achievement if they were to battle their way to the play-off places, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

They earned a more-than-useful point in a 1-1 draw at the New Manor Ground on Monday night against an Ilkeston FC outfit who moved into second place after a twelfth unbeaten match.

But it was the Robins' third successive draw as Kevin Wilson's side make up their own games in hand.

In front of a good crowd of 816, it was the home side who broke the deadlock just before the hour-mark when recent signing Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson's effort was parried by Spartans' keeper Peter Jeffries and the ball fell kindly for Eddy Samba to fire home.

That looked as though it was going to be enough for the Robins to seal all three points – until the last minute when new boy Steven Turnbull – not to be confused with FA Cup hero Stephen Turnbull - headed in Robbie Dale's cross for his first goal for the club.