Only a first-half penalty separated the sides at the end of a hard-fought contest and the visitors came close to equalising on several occasions. Despite returning home empty-handed, they will take heart from a valiant effort by their reshaped side.

Seven of Northallerton’s last nine league matches are at home so their survival hopes in Ebac Northern League Division One will surely depend on how well they perform at the Calvert Stadium, where they entertain mid-table Penrith on Saturday.

After the disappointment of losing to bottom-club Whickham at the weekend, manager Colin Myers made changes in personnel and formation. Oscar Cullen was recalled at right-back in a flat back four, Luca Sartini returned in central midfield and Alistair Banks made his first start for two-and-a-half months as a wide-right attacker.

Northallerton’s defence dealt well with West’s early pressure but went behind after 23 minutes in a pivotal moment of the game. ‘Keeper Jacob Crowle was adjudged to have fouled centre-forward Cobi Jones and a penalty was awarded.

Craig Moody confidently converted and that was enough to seal all three points for West who gained revenge for a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture last September. Moody had another effort chalked off for an infringement shortly before the break but the visitors had chances of their own, with Benji Shodeinde and Sartini going close.

Northallerton dominated the second period and were unlucky not to pull level. Shodeinde brought a good save from West ‘keeper Zach Wilkinson, Harry Croft had a couple of efforts blocked close to the goal-line, Banks fired wide after a good break and Harvey Rudd also had a shot charged down.

West rarely threatened to add to their lead against a resolute defence in which Crowle, Cullen, Rudd, Jacob Wilson and Jake Dobinson all impressed. It was always going to be difficult to integrate so many new signings into the side at short notice, but there is much for manager Myers and coach Dion Raitt to build on despite the result.

West Auckland Town: Wilkinson, Hughes, Hegarty, Bailey, White, Dale, Moody, Trotter (Carlyon 87), Jones (Robinson 87), Whitfield (Mitchell 87), Jackson (Faulkner 67).

Sub not used: Eckley-Aldsworth.

Northallerton Town: Crowle, Cullen, Dobinson, Rudd, Jacob Wilson, Sartini, Hughes, Jack Wilson (Stapley 68), Croft (Spears 75), Shodeinde (Grundle 83), Banks.

Subs not used: Myers, Coatsworth.