WHITBY Town toppled FA Cup giant-killers Blyth Spartans on Sunday thanks to a last-minute goal by Richard Pell - a star of the Spartans' last memorable cup run.

Blyth are to meet Birmingham City in the third round this Saturday, having memorably shocked Hartlepool United in round two.

But they will go into the tie on the back of a defeat, as Pell - who played for Blyth against Blackburn Rovers at the same stage in 2010 - headed home from eight yards following a free-kick by David Hopson to snatch all three Evo-Stik League premier division points.

It was the giant defender's second goal in as many games, having also headed the equaliser in the 1-1 Boxing Day draw at Frickley Athletic.

Whitby had been down to the bare bones on Saturday, with skipper Mark Robinson and fellow full-back Liam Shepherd forced to play through injury and illness respectively, while summer signing Anthony Callaghan made his first-ever start, in an unfamiliar role alongside Pell, striker Zak Boagey made his seasonal bow in the squad and local lad Sam Calvert was involved for the first time since September.

Blyth went close several times but found Blues keeper Shane Bland in fine form and, roared on by a bumper crowd of 584 - the biggest at the Turnbull Ground this season - Whitby finished with a flourish.

They won a free-kick by the right touchline, level with the edge of the penalty area. Pell was waved forward and Dale Hopson found him at the near post, where the defender stooped to nod home.

After five minutes of stoppage time, the Blues had their third win in four meetings over the North Easterners.

Player-boss Darren Williams said: "Despite a reshuffled squad, system and personnel, they rolled up their sleeves and earned the right to win the game."

Nine members of Whitby's FA Vase and Northern League winning side of 1996-97 - skipper Neil Hodgson, Allan Martin, Michael Williams, Andy Toman, Graeme Williams, Kenny Goodrick, Mitch Cook, Jimmy Scott and Ian Williams - were presented to the crowd at half-time.

On Boxing Day, Whitby drew 1-1 at Frickley Athletic in a game they should have won with ease.

Matty Bloor put Frickley ahead after 20 minutes but Pell equalised with a fine header after 38 minutes. The attendance was 228.

Whitby, now lying 13th in the table, are without a game on New Year's Day tomorrow, but on Saturday face a long coast-to-coast trek across country to Workington (3pm).

Meanwhile, Scarborough Athletic’s division one north game at Clitheroe on Sunday was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

On Boxing day, the Seadogs' play-off hopes were dented as they lost 3-0 at title challengers Darlington 1883 in front of a crowd of 1,382.

Former Whitby frontman Graeme Armstrong put Darlington ahead after seven minutes, and second-half goals followed from Andrew Mitchell and the impressive Armstrong.

Tomorrow, the Seadogs have a New Year's Day fixtures at home to Brighouse Town (3pm), and on Saturday they host Spennymoor (3pm).