Non-league Blyth Spartans scored in the 90th minute to complete a comeback in the second round of the FA Cup at the expense of Hartlepool United, winning 2-1 at Victoria Park this evening.
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The League Two side had looked the sharper from the start as Sidney Schmeltz tried to head the ball in from a Jonathan Franks cross just three minutes into the tie, but his effort was saved.
Michael Woods and Marlon Harewood also got forward in the opening spell for the hosts, but the Blyth defence did just enough to keep the teams level.
Hartlepool continued to get forward though, and broke the deadlock with just over half an hour on the clock when Franks headed in from a Neil Austin cross.
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Harewood had a chance to double their advantage shortly after, but he nodded just wide after Schmeltz had crossed the ball in from the right flank.
Blyth came close to an equaliser moments later following a quick counter-attack, but Daniel Maguire's effort was well held in the Hartlepool goal.
The visitors made a strong start to the second half as they looked for a way back into the match, but Alex Nicholson fired wide before Robert Dale saw his finish blocked.
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Blyth continued to press though, and were back on level terms 10 minutes into the second period when Stephen Turnbull picked out the top left corner with a 25-yard free kick, leaving the keeper with no chance.
Harewood thought that he had restored Hartlepool's lead 10 minutes later when he tried to poke the ball in from close range, but Peter Jeffries managed to palm it away on the line, and got the benefit of the doubt from the officials.
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Hartlepool looked the more likely in the final moments of the match, with Harewood and Brad Walker both having half-chances late on, but they struggled to put Jeffries under pressure again.
With the hosts continuing to push, Blyth caught them out with a counter-attack just before the match headed into stoppage time, setting up Jarrett Rivers to fire the ball in low from the right-hand side of the box, giving the visitors the lead for the first time.
Blyth had to survive six minutes of stoppage time, but made sure that they had numbers back to see out the win, although Matthew Bates did hit the crossbar with 30 seconds to spare.
The result ensures that Blyth will be in Monday's draw for the third round, when the Championship and Premier League sides will be included for the first time.
Sian Cowper
