A goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time by substitute Matty Kirokiro – his first for the club – was the visitors’ reward for their never-say-die commitment on another testing afternoon.

They overcame the blow of losing ‘keeper Matty Calvert, who was stretchered off with a thigh injury on the hour, and were forced to come back from behind after Blue Star took the lead shortly afterwards.

With leading scorer Alistair Banks nursing an ankle injury, Will Kitching was handed a full debut alongside Harry Croft up front. Harvey Rudd was moved into central defence to cover for the suspended Ben Dale and Oscar Cullen returned to take his place at right-back.

The young side more than held its own in an even first half and had the best chance to break the deadlock after 23 minutes when Kenzie Harker hit a post. Tigerish in the tackle and quick and constructive in attack, Town showed more encouraging signs that they are a team growing in confidence.

On another day, Calvert’s injury might have blown them off course, especially as there was no cover ‘keeper on the bench. Rudd bravely offered to take the gloves as his fellow defenders attempted to mount a ring of steel around his box.

Their resistance was broken on 63 minutes after Rudd stopped a shot from centre-forward Dan Lanning only for Liam Wotherspoon to convert the rebound. But back came Town with an equaliser 11 minutes later.

Skipper James Coatsworth’s free-kick from just outside the box found Croft, who skilfully scooped in his sixth goal of the season. Manager Deano Browne made the most of his replacements again, with Kirokiro and 16-year-old debutant Jackson Raitt playing a crucial role in the contest’s outcome.

Raitt’s cross deep into added time caused problems for the Blue Star defence and when they failed to clear their lines, there was Kirokiro to slam the loose ball into the net to the delight of Northallerton’s vocal travelling fans.

Newcastle Blue Star: Lister, Dopson, Ashcroft, Heppell, Cunningham, MacLeod (Thompson 81), Wilson (Wotherspoon 59), Slaughter, Lanning, Reid, Coulthard (Armstrong 75).

Subs not used: Hogan, Young.

Northallerton Town: Calvert (Stapley 60), Cullen, Haase, Rudd, Allen, J Kitching, Coatsworth, Sartini, Croft (Dixon 90), W Kitching (Raitt 66), Harker (Kirokiro 83).

Sub not used: Elgie.

Att: 183.