An improved performance after the heavy defeats of recent weeks gives encouragement to team caretakers Dion Raitt and Matty Calvert as they plot a way to beat Marske and Horden.

The pre-match odds were stacked against Northallerton in this top v bottom clash watched by the biggest crowd of the season at the Calvert Stadium. But the patched-up home team battled valiantly and made Guisborough work hard for their victory.

With numbers stretched by injuries and unavailability, Harry Croft was drafted from attack to central defence and James O’Brien and Matty Kirokiro replaced Joe Martin and the suspended James Coatsworth. They were able to name only two fit substitutes.

How do you set up against the league’s best away side that’s won four times as many points as the hosts this season? Northallerton’s answer was pragmatic.

They allowed Guisborough to dominate possession but aimed to hit them on the counter-attack. Their well-organised defence repelled everything the visitors could throw at them for three-quarters of the game.

Croft, Harvey Rudd, Jack Wilson and Tyrese Grundle made some terrific blocks and goalkeeper Andy Coulson showed a safe pair of hands when needed, doing particularly well to save from Kurtis Howes and Matty Willshaw in the second half.

The turning-point came in the 72nd minute when Croft was harshly sent off for a tug on substitute Alex Walker near the halfway line. The referee ruled it to be denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

A caution appeared to be the more appropriate sanction, however, and Northallerton are studying the match video to see whether there are grounds for appeal. Their defence had no time to re-organise and from the ensuing free-kick, Walker rose up in the space normally occupied by 6ft 7ins Croft to head Guisborough’s opener.

It was always going to be tough to get back on terms and although Northallerton continued to mount stiff resistance, Guisborough doubled their lead with two minutes left of normal time. O’Brien headed off the line after a shot from a corner but centre-half James Frazer pounced to convert the loose ball.

Northallerton travel to Marske on Saturday needing nothing short of three points to maintain their chances of staying in the Ebac Northern League First Division.

Northallerton Town: Coulson, Jack Wilson, O’Brien (Dunn 77), Rudd, Croft, Grundle, Stapley, Sartini, Banks, Short, Kirokiro (Raitt 66).

Guisborough Town: Catterick, Martin, McAvoy, Bailey (Pickett 90+2), Frazer, Fielding, Doherty, Birtles (Walker 56), Willshaw, Beddow, Howes (Harker 88).

Subs not used: Errington, Waller.

Man of the Match: Harvey Rudd.

Att: 361.