Needing to win this last away game to retain any chance of staying up, it started so well when Matty Kirokiro plundered one of Town’s finest goals of the season in the first minute. But they faced an uphill battle to protect their lead after suffering a third red card in four matches.

The visitors defended valiantly but Marske’s numerical superiority eventually paid off to break the hearts of Northallerton’s travelling supporters.

Interim management team Dion Raitt and Matthew Calvert have managed to conjure improved performances from the squad during their last two games but the damage was done months ago and a run of 12 defeats in the last 13, with no wins in this calendar year, tells its own story.

Jacob Wilson was back in defence to replace the unavailable Harry Croft and fit-again ‘keeper Jacob Crowle took over from Andy Coulson in goal in the only changes from Northallerton’s home defeat to leaders Guisborough the previous week. They shocked the hosts with a quality goal just seconds after kick-off.

Wing-back James O’Brien delivered a lovely pass to Matty Kirokiro who showed a terrific turn of pace to run through the home defence before judging his shot perfectly through the legs of ‘keeper Mike Algie.

Town comfortably contained their hosts for the rest of a first half that saw centre-forward Alistair Banks sent off in the 37th minute for a challenge the referee adjudged was serious foul play. Inevitably, they were on the back foot after that and the priority was to protect their advantage.

They defended superbly as a team, with Crowle making some vital saves and colleagues making important blocks and tackles, as they reached the closing stages. They were undone in the 88th minute when Max Craggs headed in a left-wing cross to equalise.

Then came the sucker punch in injury time. A deep free-kick found Euan McBride in the box and the substitute outjumped a tiring defence to head the winner.

“If we’d managed to keep 11 players on the pitch, I’m convinced we’d have been able to see it out,” said Dion Raitt. “We kept Marske out for 88 minutes and I’m disappointed for the lads because they gave us absolutely everything.”

Marske United: Algie, Spenceley, McWilliams, Eglington, Wheatley, Mills, Gant (Rowe 85), Boyle (McBride 81), Jolaoso (Dawson 68), Craggs, Bean (Jackson 56).

Sub not used: Breeze.

Northallerton Town: Crowle, Jack Wilson, O’Brien (Martin 70), Rudd, Jacob Wilson, Grundle, Stapley (Coatsworth 70), Sartini, Banks, Short (Dobinson 83), Kirokiro (Raitt 68).

Sub not used: Dunn.

Man of the Match: Jacob Wilson.

Att: 246.