Spennymoor moved up to ninth in the National League North following an accomplished and clinical display against Blyth Spartans.

Taylor netted twice, once on the stroke of half time, following an own-goal from former Moors defender Nathan Buddle.

Jordan Amissah saved his third penalty in a Moors shirt with the game at 1-0 from JJ O’Donnell, a moment which proved to be pivotal on what could be a key day in the race for the play-off’s.

Anthony Johnson continued to manage the side on his own in the continued absence of Bernard Morley, opting to name the same side who began the 1-0 defeat at York on Good Friday.

Spartans, backed by a healthy travelling contingent, came into the contest on the back of a vital win over Bradford (Park Avenue) as they continued their quest to survive.

A subdued opening ten minutes featured little in the way of goalmouth action, with Taylor’s effort from distance the first shot in anger of the afternoon.

The away side were dealt a blow early on when Connor Thomson was forced off with injury, with Lewis McNall replacing the forward.

Daniel Barlow had Spartans’ first opening when he met Michael Liddle’s deep cross, but he could only zip his shot wide of the post.

Jude Oyibo, match winner for Spennymoor in two of the previous three games at The Brewery Field, showcased his dribbling ability before almost finding Rob Ramshaw with a low cross.

The game was in the midst of a flat period when Moors took the lead via a big slice of luck.

The ball was worked out wide to Ethan Pye, with his low delivery being diverted into his own net by former Spennymoor defender Buddle.

A previously flat affair soon erupted into life as Blyth won a penalty from their first corner, with the referee adjudging Jamie Chandler to have handled Toby Lees’ cross.

O’Donnell, who netted against Moors in the reverse fixture in December, was denied by a superb save from Jordan Amissah – his third spot kick stop since January.

Spartans continued to look a threat from set-pieces and came close from their next corner, with the ball pinging around the area before being fired over by McNall.

Angello Cappello had a golden chance to level the score-line as the timer ticked towards 45 minutes, but he fired into the side netting after being released on goal.

The fine margins of football were on full display when Moors went down the other end to double their advantage, with Taylor nodding in Ryan Hall’s superb delivery.

Spartans were given an opportunity to half the deficit five minutes after the restart when Taylor fouled Buddle on the edge of the area, only for Amissah to get down and deny Deverdics from the resulting free-kick.

A clinical Spennymoor increased their advantage shortly before the hour mark through the talismanic Taylor.

Ramshaw was the provider, beating Deverdics before sliding a precise ball through to the stiker who kept his cool to drill beyond Alex Mitchell.

Moors were in cruise control, only looking exposed on one occasion when a lapse in concentration from Oyibo allowed Sado Djalo an opening which he spurned.

A foul from Buddle on the edge of the area allowed Taylor a chance to hammer home his hat-trick goal from a free-kick, only for a slight deflection to divert it behind for a corner. 

From that set-piece, Joe Tait escaped his marker at the back post but saw his goal bound header blocked on the line.

Spennymoor’s game management was near perfect, with McNall’s fierce effort late on the only concern for a solid back line.

Moors jumped up to 9th in the division on an afternoon when the sides around them dropped vital points.