Rivers brace hands the points to Spartans

Manager Jimmy Albans started with Jon Froggatt and Rob Stevenson as his forward partnership while Steve Warne started the game from the bench.

The game began at an even pace by both sides, with Blyth earning the first opportunity of the game after ten minutes.

Ian Watson drilled a low ball across the six yard box from the left hand side into the path of Steve Turnbull, whose first time strike was saved well by James Martin, deflecting it onto the post.

Spartans tested Martin for a second time five minutes later, as Michael Richardson powered a half volley from the edge of the box which was parried away well by the Nailers 'keeper.

Belper's first chance of the game came after 17 minutes, when a short free kick by Ian Ross teed up Scott Matthews to take a touch and strike from distance, only to aim in comfortable range for Peter Jeffries to hold on to.

Jarrett Rivers and Richardson had further chances for Blyth five minutes either side of the half hour mark, both going wide of the right hand post.

The opening goal then came for the home side moments after as a corner by Jarrett Rivers from the left hand side was swung in and caused confusion in the Nailers defence, to find the back of the net directly from the taker.

Jon Froggatt has a good chance to equalise two minutes later, as an Ian Ross free kick was glanced on by Froggatt, hitting the top of the bar with the goalkeeper beaten.

The Nailers came out for the second half with the need to create more chances, and did so after Blyth had scored their second goal of the game after 58 minutes.

After decent Belper pressure, Blyth broke well down the left hand side through the dangerous Robbie Dale, before the captain played a brilliant cross field ball to put Jarrett Rivers in one-on-one with Martin.

Rivers slid the ball through the legs of the keeper after taking an assured first touch to set himself up for the opportunity.

Belper then squandered a brilliant chance to half the deficit as an Ian Ross free kick was headed wide of the far post by Phil Watt, five yards from goal.

Rob Stevenson soon had another big opportunity after finding a way in behind the defence, only to place his shot the wrong side of the post, leaving Belper scratching their heads in frustration.

One final chance came for Blyth to put the game out of sight, only to be kept at bay by Martin with a brilliant double save moments from the final whistle.

Blyth Spartans: Jeffries, Nicholson, Watson, Hutchinson, Buddle, Hooks (Wade 57), Rivers, Hawkins, Richardson (Maguire 74), Turnbull (Mullen 80), Dale. Subs: Parker, Dixon.

Belper Town: Martin, Jones (Varley 61), Pride, Adams, Watt, Ross, Williams, Towey, Stevenson, Froggatt (Warne 90), Matthews. Subs: Lister, Barr-Rostron, James.

Referee: Simon Clayton (Redcar)

Attendance: 439

Match highlights (courtesy of BSAFC TV)