Rangers win was welcome surprise

Blyth Spartans manager Tom Wade admits he was as surprised as the fans in the stands to see his side come away with three points from Saturday's 4-2 win at Stafford Rangers, writes Phil Castiaux.

The Spartans were forced to come from behind in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division clash after conceding an early penalty that Wade labelled as ‘daft’.

Wade, who takes his side to play-off chasers AFC Flyde on Tuesday night seeking more points away from Croft Park, said: "To be honest at quarter of an hour in to the game, and after conceding a daft penalty, I couldn't see us picking up the three points. It was strange because before the game I had a gut feeling it might be our day and the lads were up for it. It was just one of those starts after which you have to hope things will improve."

Improve they did after 28 minutes when Daniel Maguire equalised with a dazzling overhead. Further goals from Robbie Dale and a brace from Craig Hubbard put Blyth 4-1 up before Rangers pulled one back 12 minutes from full time. Wade was delighted with a team performance that saw them draw level on points with Rangers and believes the win was thoroughly deserved.

"We deserved Dan’s goal because we’d started to slowly take hold of the game," insisted Blyth's manager. "We went on to do really well for most of the rest of the game. It was a great performance and it was good to see us keeping going for 90 minutes. The players are really starting to buy in to what we are trying to do."

Wade takes his team to Kellamergh Park battling familiar problems with injuries and suspensions. He added: "It's a shame but we won't be able to field the same team at AFC Fylde. It's a problem we've had all season. Ritchie Slaughter, Damen Mullen and Craig Hubbard are unavailable but we do have Neil Hooks and Jordan Mellish returning."