Blyth Spartans v Darlington | Saturday, 12 July 2025 - 15:00 | Friendly

Briggs strikes for Spartans but a 90th-minute goal sees Darlington edge a competitive pre-season contest at Croft Park.

Blyth Spartans were dealt late heartbreak at Croft Park as Darlington scored in the final minute to seal a 2-1 win in Saturday's pre-season fixture.

Colin Myers' side made a bright start and looked the more dangerous early on. Dan Maw was at the centre of the action, twice going close - first firing straight at Pete Jameson after a clever through ball from Danny Anderson, then slicing wide after being played in again on 23 minutes.

At the other end, Jack Chapman was alert to block a dangerous Darlington cross on the half-hour mark, with his block almost finding the roof of his own goal, and a free header at the back post for the Quakers skimmed the crossbar. Maw was at it again, a curled effort from the attacker curled narrowly wide from the edge of the box five minutes before the break.

Half Time: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Darlington

The second half began slowly, but Spartans found a breakthrough in the 65th minute. Dean Briggs capitalised on confusion in the Darlington backline, spinning away from his marker and burying a low shot into the bottom corner.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes. Darlington broke down the right and Jack Maskell's knockdown found Matty Kirokiro, who levelled from close range.

The visitors looked the more likely to win it late on and forced home debutant goalkeeper Matty Cassap into a superb point-blank save in the 85th minute.

But there was nothing Cassap could do in stoppage time. A cross from the left was met at the back post, forcing another brilliant save, but Cyril Giraud reacted quickest to smash home the rebound and win it for the visitors.

Full Time: Blyth Spartans 1-2 Darlington

Goals - Dean Briggs 65', Matty Kirokiro 68' & Cyril Giraud 90'

Next up, Spartans travel to Morpeth Town on Tuesday night for their third pre-season game.

Photographs by Paul Lynch

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