Blyth Spartans

Dudgeon 6' & Fowler 75'

2

Lincoln United

0

Saturday 28 February 2026 3PM

League

Attendance: 561

Blyth Spartans v Lincoln United | Saturday, 28 February 2026 - 15:00 | League

Spartans made it three wins on the bounce at Croft Park with a 2-0 victory over Lincoln United, moving the Northumberland side out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.

Paul Dudgeon fired Spartans ahead in the sixth minute after the ball fell kindly on the edge of the area. Michael Fowler sealed the victory from close range with fifteen minutes remaining.

Marc Nash's decision to hand Dudgeon a starting role paid off, as the midfielder struck against the run of play to give his side an early advantage.

Dudgeon gave Spartans the lead in the sixth minute when the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the area. His first-time volley flew into the bottom-left corner beyond Heath Richardson, handing Blyth the perfect start with their first attack of the game.

After the opener, it was all Lincoln United. Callum Dobson was forced into an excellent reaction save from close range just minutes later to preserve Blyth's advantage. The Whites continued to pile on the pressure and, although the Spartans defended resolutely, they struggled to gain momentum and were sloppy in possession, allowing the visitors to pin them back for much of the first half.

Blyth nearly doubled their lead when Charlie Wood slipped Fowler through on goal, but Richardson was quick off his line to narrow the angle, with Fowler's effort finding the side netting.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 1-0 Lincoln United

Spartans improved after the break, following the introduction of Rio Joisce and a change of shape. Fowler saw an effort cleared off the line ten minutes into the second half as the hosts began to assert themselves.

Buoyed by the adjustment, Blyth continued to push forward, and their pressure told in the closing stages. Wood released Jack Foalle down the right-hand side, and his superb delivery across the six-yard box was tapped home by Fowler from a yard out to seal the three points and claim his sixth goal of the season.

After a difficult first half, the Spartans reaped the rewards of their improved second-half display to secure a third consecutive home win and climb out of the bottom four. Attention now turns to Tuesday night, when they welcome in-form Pontefract Collieries to Croft Park.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 2-0 Lincoln United

Blyth Spartans - 46' On: Rio Joisce, Off: Kyle Downey, 83' On: Jamie Clark & Lucas Taylor, Off: Paul Dudgeon & Michael Fowler

Goals - Dudgeon 6' & Fowler 75'

Assists - Foalle 75'

Yellow cards - Jordan Summerly 49' & Charlie Wood 73'


Lincoln United - 61' On: Kane Hutchinson-Wilkes, Off: Andrew Janssen, 66, On: Haydn Havard, Off: Max Baker, 85' On: Harry Millard, Off: Harvey Cribb

Yellow cards - Jack Dando 54' & Connor Brown 82'

Referee - Alex Clark

Written by Leo Patchett