Nantwich Town 1 Blyth Spartans 1

NANTWICH Town were left rueing missed chances after Blyth Spartans stole a point in Saturday’s Evo-Stik League Northern Premier top flight clash.

Alex Meaney’s first half strike gave the Dabbers the lead, but an Arjun Purewal header saw the Spartans return with a point.

The hosts’ on-loan Nick Haughton shone throughout with exciting footwork and skill but even he spurned a great chance in the second period.

Blyth captain Robert Dale showed fancy footwork on six minutes but his pullback was left by striker Lewis Horner with no-one behind.

Mark Jones popped up at the back post on 10 minutes for Dabbers, but from a tight angle he hit wide of the open goal.

But Meaney then slotted in expertly on 26 minutes after build-up play from the Dabbers led to Harry Clayton squaring for the scorer.

Meaney nearly added to his tally on 32 minutes but his shot cannoned off Aaron Burns and out.

Burns powered over one-on-one with keeper Conor Grant on 55 minutes, before Haughton failed to hit the target from Clayton’s delivery.

Purewal headed in from close range on 66 minutes to level and when a late drive from man-of-the-match Haughton fizzed wide, Dabbers had to settle for a point.

Nantwich Steve James, Josh Eastwood, Andy White, Andy Keogh, Earl Davis, Sam Wilson, Nick Haughton, Mark Jones (c), Aaron Burns (Ben Deegan 77), Harry Clayton (Steve Foster 74), Alex Meaney (Peter Green 79). Subs not used Oliver Devenney, Phil Eastwood.