Shearer was in the dressing room ahead of the match and his words of encouragement had a profound effect on youngster Jarrett Rivers, who struck in the 90th minute to seal a 2-1 win at Victoria Park.
League Two Hartlepool, three divisions above their Evo-Stik Northern Premier opposition, were deserved half-time leaders through a Jonathan Franks goal, but failed to press home their advantage.
Hartlepool Utd 1-2 Blyth Spartans
The FA Cup
Second Round Proper
Friday 5 December
Victoria Park
Blyth hit back through a stunning Steve Turnbull free-kick and the former Hartlepool player then had a hand in Rivers' late winner.
Rivers, who works in his family's newsagent, said afterwards: “Alan Shearer said before the match one of us is going to be a hero and that it had to be in the Spartans dressing room.
“We have the fans behind us everywhere we go, it’s unbelievable. I get weekends off from my mum’s shop so I’ll just be celebrating now.”
Manager Tom Wade praised his side and admitted it was one of the best nights of his life. He said: “Their attitude is fantastic and they work so hard for this club. I’m so proud. I thought we deserved it in the end.”
Blyth have now reached the Third Round four times and Rivers claimed he wanted to get Manchester United in Monday night's draw.
Turnbull, a part-time engine worker on a cruise ship, said he had spent only a brief time in training working on his stunning free-kick technique, added: “It’s what the FA Cup’s all about - it’s happy days.”
