Lancaster City 1, Blyth Spartans 1

HOW can any player make a lunging two-footed tackle from behind and end up staying on the pitch?

That is the question that will be on every Lancaster fan's mind as a potentially dangerous challenge against Paul Haddow was only deemed to be worthy of a yellow card by the referee.

Players and fans alike were angered when Blyth's Steven Stewart was allowed to stay on the pitch after such a crunching tackle and this ugly incident marred the superb late comeback that City had made to secure a point from this match.

The match started badly for the Blues as they went a goal down after just nine minutes. Paddy Little struck a free-kick 25 yards out from goal and the ball took two massive deflections on its way past the bemused Mark Thornley.

Spirits weren't down yet for City, although they must have been wondering if they'd ever score after Kenny Mayers hit the bar and Kevin Barnes had a fierce goalbound shot deflected wide by a defender.

Their bad luck continued in the second half when a surging run from Paul Crompton took him past the keeper but saw his shot cleared off the line.

Then in the 58th minute, Barnes missed a chance that he will no doubt rue. Brian Butler played a superb ball through from the right giving

Barnes a clear sight of goal but his looping header was disappointing considering he was only eight yards out from goal.

The game was starting to get scrappy, bookings were flying around and the pace of the game was slowing down. Lancaster made two attacking substitutions to try and push for a goal, and they were changes that Tony Hesketh will certainly not regret.

In the 90th minute, a great crossfield ball from Jimmy Graham sent Ian Dickinson down the right wing. His pace and skill took him past two defenders and saw him win a corner for City.

There was an almighty scramble from the resulting cross with several Lancaster players getting a piece of the action with attempts on goal, but Paul Haddow stole the show with his low drive which arrowed through a crowd of defenders and in to the net.

Seconds later Lancaster got a chance to seal the match when another good ball through sent Brian Welch one-on-one with the keeper but way out he saw the keeper off his line but his audacious lob went just over.

Another game, another well earned point and it looked like the game was going to end with no more incidents as we were deep into injury-time.

But as Paul Haddow made a swift run down the right wing, he was chopped down by a two-footed challenge from Steven Stewart.

Lifelong fans who looked on said it was the worst tackle they had ever seen at Giant Axe and were certain the referee had no choice but to produce the red card.

But Lancaster haven't had their fair share of decisions this season and this was another that wasn't to go their way as Stewart was shown a yellow card.

Lancaster's next match is away against Droylsden on Saturday. Anyone wishing to travel should immediately contact Eric Williams on 33398.

Team: Thornley, Sparrow, Graham, Kilbane, Martin, Mayers, Crompton, Butler (c), Barnes (Haddow 60), Welch, Clitheroe (Dickinson 70).