TONY Sullivan said Witton Albion deserved a draw following yesterday’s defeat at Blyth, a result that sent his side back into the table’s bottom four.

The visitors replied to Daniel Maguire’s first-half opener when John Shaw headed in Joe Shaw’s corner, only for Matthew Wade to score a decisive goal less than two minutes after his arrival as a substitute.

Alex Titchiner’s attempt was cleared off the line in stoppage time by a Spartans defender.

“We could have got a point – I felt we deserved one,” said Sullivan.

“We improved in the second half and were the stronger side when we equalised. A couple of lapses in concentration during the build-up to their second goal cost us dearly though.

“Their full back came out of his own half unopposed and should have been put under pressure.

“It’s tough to take, because I don’t think they merited three points. The result says 2-1 to Blyth though.”

Witton spent the entire first half on the back foot against in-form Blyth, beaten only once in the league since September 9.

Ben Harrison and Jon Dawson both cleared shots off the line, but the visitors could do nothing to stop Daniel Maguire lifting a cute finish over goalkeeper Dean Porter from Robbie Dale’s pass.

“Maybe we were a bit frightened earlier on because they put us under so much pressure,” said Sullivan.

“We were resolute though, and stayed solid against a very good side.

“It’s important our fans don’t expect us to get rolled over any more, which was happening earlier in the season.

“We knew if it stayed at 1-0, then we could rattle them if we got a goal.

“We looked a decent side in the second half, but didn’t make the most of the chances we had. And that’s a shame.”

To read a report on yesterday's match, click here: http://bit.ly/1HP9x2G