A GROUP of 45 Blyth Spartans fans stranded after their bus broke down on route to the Racecourse have praised Wrexham AFC for its support during the unfortunate incident.

Wrexham came out on top 3-2 in the FA Cup Fourth qualifying round replay v the Spartans on Tuesday, October 18.

That followed on from the 1-1 draw which took place in Blyth three days earlier and saw the Reds advance to face Oldham Athletic in the first round proper.

246 Blyth Spartans fans made it down to the Racecourse, but one-bus load sadly didn't as they encountered some problems along the way.

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A group of 45 of the away supporters became stranded at Lancaster Services after their bus broke down.

Among them was John the toaster - a Spartans fan who famously carries a toaster along with him on his head to matches (picture below).

An unofficial Blyth Spartans Supporters Group - the Green Army - was quick to praise Wrexham for its efforts in trying to help them turn the situation around.

They say Humphrey Ker (Wrexham's Executive Director) was particuarly helpful - but in the end there just wasn't any taxis or buses available to take them to North Wales.

The supporters group hailed Wrexham as a 'fantastic club' following their efforts to get them to the match.

A statement from the group's Dan Rolls and Lewis Parker read: "Well, yesterday didn't exactly go to plan.

"First time in 11+ years of doing busses we've had any sort of mechanical issue, not including of course the time a pheasant came through the window at Mickleover a few years ago.

"Deeply sorry to the lads on Bus 1 who missed the game. We're truly gutted about it. Especially after the amount of effort we've put in over the last week to help with the original game and the massive push to get Bus 2 on.

"We'll be speaking to the bus company later today so to sort refunds for the bus, please hit us up.

"For those who made the game, well done for doing the club proud last night! By the sounds of it, you were all in fine voice. Also well done to every single player and member of staff for doing us all proud last night and battling until the end.

"Lastly, we'd just like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Wrexham AFC and especially Humphrey Ker for trying their utmost to get us to the game. Also a shoutout to the Wrexham fans who've been wonderful!"

Dan told the Leader: "It was 45 of us who were sadly trapped at Lancaster Services. I contacted the people I know at our club and we put an appeal for help out online.

"After about 30 minutes, Humphrey followed us on Twitter and took my number. He said Wrexham would pay for taxi's or a bus just whatever we could get down to Wrexham but sadly we just couldn't get anything to take us at all.

"They even offered to get us a bus home free of charge!"

The stranded Blyth fans eventually got themselves a bus home at around 10.45pm having hit a nearby pub for a pub quiz.

They missed a valiant second half fightback from their side who had been 3-0 down at the break.