Darren Timmons and Leon Ryan, both rejoining the club this season, were in the starting line-up, as was Lee Picton who missed Saturday's game at Blue Star.

Despite their superior status, Blyth never really imposed themselves on the game and it was Whitley who looked much the livelier with Mark Minto and Chris Moore causing problems for the home defence with their pace on and off the ball.

Whitley deservedly took the lead after ten minutes when Minto played the ball through to Craig McFarlane inside the penalty area and the new signing slotted the ball past keeper Mark Bell from ten yards.

It took Blyth half an hour to threaten the Bay goal and when it came, the ball flew high over the bar.

A few minutes before the interval, Terry Burke produced a great save to push a low shot away after Blyth had mounted a short period of pressure.

Whitley made three substitutions after the break with last season's top scorers Lee Kerr and Paul Chow both coming off the bench along with Robbie Livermore.

Further substitutions followed but Whitley held on to their lead without too much difficulty until just past the hour mark.

Then a handball offence let Spartans back into the game.

Gareth Williams duly levelled the score from the penalty spot.

Chris Moore had a good chance to put Whitley back in front with quarter of an hour to go but he fired his shot straight at Bell.

Leon Ryan was Whitley's saviour a few minutes later when he cleared the ball off the line after a misplaced pass had presented the home side with a great chance.

In the last minute of an entertaining game, Chris Moore floated a free kick from the right into the six yard box where Lee Picton escaped his marker to send a diving header into the far corner of the net for a dramatic late winner.

While the 2-1 scoreline was very satisfying, what was more pleasing was the quality of the performance, with some extremely encouraging contributions in all areas of the park.

Whitley looked the hungrier side throughout with every player battling for the ball.