The visitors ended a dismal run of seven straight defeats in all competitions by leapfrogging their County Durham opponents in the lower reaches of the Ebac Northern League Division One.

They also recorded their first double of the season, having beaten Crook 4-1 at home on the opening day, and kept their first clean sheet for nine games. Not a bad reward for what was something of an emergency line-up, with several players featuring in unfamiliar positions to cover for absent colleagues.

Eighteen-year-old Oscar Cullen was a revelation at right-back with a man-of-the-match performance on his full debut, Jonny Haase slotted in seamlessly at centre-back to cover for he injured Josh Allen and midfielder Joe Kitching gave a committed display at left-back.

Also impressing on his debut was 20-year-old midfielder Luca Sartini, who recently represented Chester-le-Street and has also played for Thornaby and Shildon.

Northallerton moved the ball well in an even first half and some of their build-up play was a joy to watch. They passed up an early chance to take the lead when Harry Croft won a penalty after 11 minutes.

The centre-forward was disappointed to see his shot bounce off a post, but there other good opportunities in the opening period – Ben Dale headed wide from a corner and Kenzie Harker had a dangerous shot charged down.

Crook put the Northallerton defence under sustained pressure at the start of the second half but couldn’t find a breakthrough. The visitors took the lead against the run of play after 68 minutes.

Alistair Banks will claim it following a skilful set-up by Cullen, even though it has been officially credited as a Jake Toase own goal. Four minutes later, they doubled their advantage when a long-range effort by Harker evaded home ‘keeper Matt Cassap.

Manager Browne rung the changes from the bench with the fresh legs of substitutes Jack Stapley, Matthew Tew and Joe Martin helping their team-mates close out the game. The whole squad went over to the away end at the end of the match to acknowledge their vocal away supporters – a nice touch.

Crook Town: Cassap, Goldsborough, Matthews, Fielding, Mitton, Toase, Bunton (Wallace 69), Maddison, Hardy, Spears (Thomson 64), Raper (Smith 73).

Subs not used: Niven, Payne.

Northallerton Town: Calvert, Cullen (Tew 76), J Kitching, Sartini, Dale, Haase, Nicholas, Coatsworth, Croft (Stapley 58), Banks, Harker (Martin 78).

Sub not used: Crowle.

Man of the Match: Oscar Cullen.