Winning Streak Is All Rover

Our winning streak in the Northern Alliance was ended at the 9th attempt as Spittal Rovers handed us our first defeat of 2017.

Joe Connor was missing after a great run of form replaced by Karl Charlton while Spittal had centre half Kev Greshon suspended after his red card in the reverse fixture.

Spittal started the brighter of the teams and tested Lowery twice in the early stages both times the ball bounced up just before reaching the keeper but he got his body in the way to keep the ball out.

The home side then wasted a glorious chance to go ahead as Paul Wood scooped over the bar after the ball fell into his path from 12 yards.

The Saints offered no threat in the first 40 minutes but were denied twice just before half time, first Mark Henderson headed Phil Doolans corner off the post and minutes later Noel Clynch was denied by a quality save from the Rovers keeper.

The second half saw Spittal start quickly just like the first and they missed another glorious chance as Strangeways fired straight at Lowery from 6 yards the stopper showing great reactions to tip the ball over.

On the hour mark Spittal had an even better chance of taking the lead as they were awarded a penalty when Karl Charlton slid into the back of Doyle, Doyle then stepped up to send Lowey the wrong way and give his side the lead.

The Quay were forced into action finally and should of equalized with 15 minutes left Doolan again crossed Henderson volleyed towards goal only for the ball to crash back off the post again.

With the Saints piling forward Spittal countered and won another penalty as Lowery brought down their forward when he looked certain to score. Spittal changed penalty takers and this time Lowery saved and then somehow got a hand to the rebound to tip it wide of the post.

Clynch then almost salvaged a point but his long range effort was tipped over the bar the last chance of the game as Spittal ran out deserved winners.