Lancaster City ease relegation fears with vital win over Blyth Spartans

Lancaster City survived a late comeback to pick up their first win under Jimmy Marshall.

The Dolly Blues picked up a vital three points with a 3-2 victory at Giant Axe in the Northern Premier League.

The Dolly Blues were fastest out the blocks. Dylan Moonan, starting in midfield was the main tormenter. His 25 yard effort was just over the bar on 7 minutes, before almost heading home a throw in, with a Blyth defender getting in the way with some last gasp defending.

The following corner needed to be gathered by the Blyth goalkeeper Lewis Baker before Lewis Mansell got a shot off. On 15 minutes it was Moonan again, heading a Crispin McLean free kick low into the corner, again Baker making the save. A minute later it was Nic Evangelinos' go at goal, his shot was pulled wide.

After riding the Dolly Blue wave for 20 minutes, it was Blyth breaking from the counter. Twice in two minutes Cyril Giraud had a chance to open the scoring. First time round he rolled his defender and fired over, second time he forced a great save from Lewis Forshaw.

The breakthrough came on 31 minutes, Crispin McLean played in Lewis Mansell and after a tussle on the edge of the box, squared the ball to Charlie Cox who tapped in his second goal of his loan spell from Blackpool.

The Dolly Blues stayed on the front foot for the remainder of the half, with Player of the Match Dylan Thompson trying his luck from 25 yards and from a low Sam Bailey cross, Nic Evangelinos teed himself up for a bicycle kick and once again went just wide.

The second half started as the first half ended. Crispin McLean spotting the Blyth goalkeeper off his line, had a go straight from kick off but was off the mark, but the wait for a second goal would not be long.

On 52 minutes, a free kick was sent in by Sam Bailey. Lewis Mansell headed it off the post, the follow up from Dylan Thompson was saved by Baker but he could only parry to Harrison Beeden who tapped in from close range.

Blyth responded to going 2-0 down and had an opportunity to half the deficit just 6 minutes later, Charlie Aitkin brought down in the box by Forshaw, but Captain Nicky Deverdics put the spot kick wide of the post. As the half went on Blyth grew with confidence and on 71 minutes got their goal. Substitute JJ Hooper getting on the end of a deflected effort and takes it round Forshaw for a tap in.

Dean Briggs almost scored the equaliser as his effort from 25 yards was just over the bar.

Lancaster City's third came on 88 minutes and it was created and scored by substitutes. Harrison Beeden played it to Nathan Caine, who got the ball to fellow Sub Aaron Bennett who in turn sets up Bobby Bjork to fire past Lewis Baler and score the decisive third.

For everyone thinking the drama was over would be mistaken, Dean Briggs saw red for a rash challenge on Christian Sloan and on 92 minutes substitute Zack Simpson fired home the rebound to make it 3-2 and a nervous last couple of minutes for the Dolly Blue faithful.

Next up is the penultimate away day, with a visit to the Hive Arena to take on Warrington Rylands.