FA Cup

[monks data]

FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 3, 2015 at 3pm UK

Blyth Spartans
2-3
Birmingham Birmingham City

Dale (35', 41')

FT(HT: 2-0)

Novak (52'), Thomas (55', 58')

Blyth Spartans' Robbie Dale: 'We were outclassed in second half'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 03 January 2015

Blyth Spartans midfielder Robbie Dale concedes that Birmingham City's quality shone through in the second half of their 3-2 FA Cup third-round defeat.

Blyth Spartans captain Robbie Dale has admitted that his side were outclassed in the second half of their 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Birmingham City.

Dale scored twice in the first half to give the seventh-tier side a shock 2-0 lead going into the break and a chance to pull off a third-round upset at Croft Park.

However, the Blues rallied in the second half and managed to book their place in the fourth round thanks to a brace from Wes Thomas and a Lee Novak strike.

Dale told BBC Sport: "At 2-0 up we got carried away. Once they came out and got one their tails were up and they showed their class.

"We had a perfect first-half but Birmingham were so quick to get three. It was a brilliant atmosphere today, both sets of fans were top class.

"We thought we would be hanging on all game so to be 2-0 up at the break was amazing. We've had a great cup run."

The Spartans defeated Altrincham and North-East rivals Hartlepool United to reach the third round of the competition.