Hartlepool United 1 Blyth Spartans 2

FOR Blyth, it was one of the greatest nights in their illustrious history; for Hartlepool United one of the most desperate in an embarrassment of a season.

The Evo-Stik League side are in Monday’s FA Cup third round draw, and deservedly so. Quite where Pools go from here is open to conjecture.

Trailing by one-goal, Spartans gave a heroic second half performance and scored a 90th minute winner.

No-one inside Victoria Park could dispute the outcome, as Jarrett Rivers, who spent the morning working in his families’ newsagents, posted the winner.

In the second-half, only one team was going to win it. And it wasn’t Pools. Bereft of confidence and belief, and some would say ability, they were outplayed and outfought by a team of part-time players.

But for all Pools’ failings, this was Spartans’ night

Boss Tom Wade said: “I can’t put this into words. It’s hugely special for me as a Blyth lad. I’m from the town and it means so much. I know most of the supporters.

“I don’t know who I want in the next round – the third round is a fantasy for us.

“I thank them all for their efforts, average age is 22 and under and they all stood up to be counted. I’m so proud of them.

“The lads are heroes, they all made history tonight. They are honest and good lads, their attitude and commitment shows.

He added: “Hartlepool did well, but as a team we were together and grafted for each other.

“I’ve seen Steven Turnbull a couple of years ago, him and his twin Phil are probably two of the best midfielders in the area and he has great ability.

“Not just a player, his overall game was superb today and we were told Hartlepool had him pencilled in as the weak link.’’

There was not a weak link in green and white and goalkeeper Peter Jeffries, a Hartlepool lad and former season-ticket holder at Victoria Park, gave them a superb start.

Three minutes in, Jonathan Franks crossed, and Marlon Harewood’s header was flying square into the net.

Jeffries flung himself across goal, and pawed it away.

“England’s number one” chanted the 1,111 Spartans fans. It wasn’t long ago he wasn’t even the best goalkeeper in the Hartlepool Sunday Morning League.

Then Sidney Schmeltz crossed, Harewood back-peddled, and headed into the side netting. Schmeltz swung a cross over, Franks missed his header in the six yard box.

Pools had the start they wanted, it was one of the brightest they have managed in a long while.

And before Scott Flinders had been worked, Pools took the lead.

Austin showed great determination to get to the byline and make the cross, landing it for Franks to nod home in the same fashion he got the second goal against East Thurrock United in round one.

There was a chance of a swift second, but some heroic blocks in the area denied Austin.

Spartans were only sporadic in the first-half, Flinders wasn’t troubled, although Dan Maguire should have done more than pick out the goalkeeper from a free header six yards out.

Pools led at home to York two weeks ago at half-time, but crumbled in the second period. The same happened here.

Spartans were on the front foot, pressing Pools back. Matthew Bates conceded a pointless free-kick on the edge of his own area.

Up stepped Steven Turnbull, a former Pools trainee and midfielder, whose only FA Cup mark previous to this was playing for Bury in the competition as an ineligible player in 2006.

He won’t forget this one, his sublime free-kick whipped over the defensive wall and arrowed into the top corner.

There won’t be a better free-kick scored in the entire competition.

Desperate Pools went into their collective shells, Spartans were blooming.

However, there was a huge debate when Harewood turned the ball at goal from close range and Jeffries grabbed it on the line. Or was it beyond? Either way it wasn’t given.

And, on 90 minutes the winner, from a position of some promise for Pools. Austin advanced with the ball, but players were hiding from it, he didn't want it so turned, lost possession and the ball was sprayed wide for Rivers.

Dan Jones dived in, Bates stood off and gave Rivers the chance to pick his spot and send Spartans into dreamland.

In one last chance, Bates cracked the top of the bar. It mattered little. In a shambles of a season, Pools managed to find a new low point.

“We did well first half, created some openings, went one-up, should have scored a couple, came out second half and were even worse than we have been of late,’’ said disgusted Pools boss Paul Murray. “There’s not enough passion, desire and effort.

“It was diabolical; the second half was just not good enough. If I knew what it was down to I would be telling them. Did we score a second through Marlon? I’m not sure. We didn’t show enough desire, we were short.

“Personally it hurts. I played with passion, desire, commitment and relishing the challenge and second-half we didn’t have enough.

“I cannot go out there and do it, they have to take responsibility. They have to do everything they can. We look after them, they get looked after, but they aren’t producing."