By James Briscoe
A freak goal from PJ Hudson gave Nantwich Town a final day 2-1 win over Blyth Spartans.
And the victory proved the perfect tribute to caretaker player-manager Darren Moss in his last game in charge.
Forward Harry Clayton slotted home at the near post on 37 minutes when Zac Foster took advantage of Blyth full-back Phil Airey’s loss in concentration to get to the byline and cross.
Airey thought the ball had gone out of play but failed to play to the whistle.
Massive Spartans striker Andy Jennings then won a penalty on 60 minutes when Dabbers goalkeeper Jon Brain went to ground at his feet, although there seemed little contact.
Airey took the penalty but Brain saved with his feet. However Jennings was on hand to power in the rebound just inside the box to make it 1-1.
Substitute Hudson then silenced the rowdy Blyth crowd when his attempted cross from 40 yards out evaded Airey in Blyth’s defence and beat stopper, Mark Cook, at his near post.
There was controversy on seven minutes when Cook handled a Josh Lane shot outside his box however referee, Joe Clark, only gave him a caution.
Strong wind played havoc all day and forced Nantwich striker Kyle Wilson’s attempted chip wide on 10 minutes.
Blyth’s back five dallying was a feature of the game and Wilson chased down Cook’s attempted clearance nearly poking in from an angle on 21.
Jennings was unsurprisingly a handful all game but he could only scuff wide on 44.
At 1-0 up the Dabbers strung together a few passes and Niall Maguire shot a cultured effort just over on 53.
Blyth would have equalised on 85 minutes had it not been for Nantwich captain Charles Raglan hooking away just when Jennings was ready to tap in an empty net.
Nantwich’s 2-1 lead never looked completely safe however Blyth’s insistence on giving the ball away meant they struggled to create chances from open play.
Victory means Nantwich finished in 14th place in the Evo-Stik Premier League, with 53 points from 42 games.
North Ferriby United are champions and gain automatic promotion on goal difference from Hednesford Town in a dramatic last day.
Eastwood Town and Kendal Town finish in the bottom two and face relegation.
(All pics by Simon J Newbury Photography)
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