SALFORD City twice came from behind on Tuesday evening to earn an FA Cup Third qualifying round replay against Conference North side Blyth Spartans.
The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when full-back Stephen Harrison cut into the box before driving a low shot into the net.
It was an early blow for the Ammies, but just three minutes later they were on level terms when Ian Fitzpatrick was on hand to prod home Alex Mortimer’s corner from the right.
Blyth regained their lead in the 24th minute through Mark Doninger but Salford were always in contention and equalised three minutes before the break.
Spartans keeper Mark Bell spilled Craig Mahon’s cross, allowing Rhodri Giggs to slot the loose ball home from close range. That made it 2-2 at the break and, despite City having the upper hand in the second half they couldn’t break through again and the match ended all square.
A crowd of 391 at Moor Lane witnessed a tight match, and the first half passed without too much attacking incident.
Salford turned up the pressure in the second half and Giggs had already been denied by Hyde keeper Mike Jones and the offside flag when he notched the winner seven minutes from time.
Giggs collected Liam Foster’s long pass and slipped his marker before placing his shot beyond Jones and into the net.
The off-form Tigers had clocked up just one win in 10 games and, with Salford’s Mike Flynn and Carl Ruffer easily dealing with long balls into their box, keeper Andy Robertson was rarely tested.
Salford switch their attention to the FA Trophy on Saturday when Durham City are the visitors for a first-round tie.
The FA Cup replay at Blyth will be played on Tuesday, October 20 (ko 7.45pm) with the winners entertaining AFC Telford United in the next round.
