Garner secures points for Boston United as Spartans finally repelled

Scott Garner’s second half finish was enough to secure Boston United three points at struggling Blyth Spartans.

Those watching would be well within their rights to so how the winning margin wasn’t greater than 1-0.

The answer was, quite simply, Brendan Pearson, the home team keeper pulling off a number of stunning saves to make this National League North contest more tense than it should ha e been considering the Pilgrims’ dominance.

But as the final whistle blew United’s three-game winless streak was over, the side up to 11th, three points off the play-offs and with hames in hand.

Three changes saw Josh Askew handed his first league start while Paul Green and Terry Hawkridge returned, Jay Rollins, Mitch Rose and Scott Duxbury dropping out of the Boston starting XI.

The contest looked every bit the battle between a side with promotion hopes and a team scrapping for survival.

If it wasn’t for Pearson the game would have been all but over within the opening 20 minutes.

The Blyth number one repelled Jordan Burrow’s strike and clawed away his goal bound header, also keeping hold of Connor Dimaio’s drive.

When Pearson wasn’t needed, Luke Shiels’ header struck the bar and Jordan Thewlis’ tight-angled effort was deflected wide.

Green then lashed an effort wide before the hosts lost defender and manager Michael Nelson to injury, Callum Guy replacing him.