THE Lions couldn’t find the net away at Blyth Spartans for the third game on the spin after missing a penalty in successive matches.

The Lions started the game the brighter of the two sides winning a couple of corners but they ultimately came to nothing.

The game was just four minutes old though when the visitors created their next chance, Jacob Gratton was found in behind the Blyth defence after a quick throw-in and he teed up Thewlis but the strikers shot was blocked.

George Cantrill was next to launch a Lions attack with a mazy run leaving four Spartans defenders in his path, he found Regan Hutchinson but the full back’s cross evaded Gratton and the chance was gone.

Gratton was in the thick of the action once again a few minutes later when his dangerous low cross flashed across the six yard box with no Lions attacker in sight to finish it off.

The final chance of the half fell to Brad Nicholson but the number 3’s header was straight at Alex Mitchell in the Blyth goal.

Once again The Lions started brightly in the second half and Andy Hollins, who was making his first start for the club, had a free header which sailed over the bar.

Then came the turning point in the second half when Thewlis brought down a long ball forward and cut in from the right hand side before being tripped by a Blyth defender, the referee pointed to the spot.

Thewlis stepped up but couldn’t beat Mitchell with the stopper pulling off a good save low down to his right.

Then just eight minutes later Blyth took the lead through Sean Reid’s controversial goal. A shot came in from a Spartans attacker which Reid got a touch to and the Assistant Referee flagged for offside.

The Referee overturned the decision and gave the goal much to the delight of the home faithful.

Then just two minutes later Robbie Dale attempted to double his side’s advantage but Brad Wade pulled off an excellent save at full stretch.

The chances really dried up from then for both sides with the final opening of the game falling to Hutchinson from 20 yards out but Mitchell easily saved the shot.

The Lions have to bounce back quickly with a trip to Chester on Tuesday night.