The Ebac Northern League Second Division pacemakers will meet the winners of the remaining semi-final between Redcar Athletic and Boro Rangers in a season when a new name will be engraved on the trophy.

It started so well for Northallerton in this first competitive meeting between the clubs when they took the lead against the run of play after 15 minutes. Yarm had made all the running up to that point, pressing forward purposefully on the soggy Calvert Stadium pitch.

Defender Harvey Rudd delivered a pinpoint cross for midfielder Bradley Hughes to produce a header that slid off the turf and into the bottom corner for his first goal since joining on a dual registration from Bishop Auckland.

Hughes was making his first start for a month and was the only change from the 1-0 home defeat to Birtley a week earlier, with Niall Short reverting to the bench. Spurred by his goal, Northallerton visibly grew in confidence in front of their biggest crowd of the season and had opportunities to extend their lead.

They twice hit the post in an entertaining, full-blooded half. Skipper Luca Sartini drove a piledriver effort narrowly wide as they continued to threaten the Yarm goal.

Northallerton had cause to regret not building on their lead when Yarm equalised after 57 minutes. Centre-forward Tom Atkinson produced a wonderful effort from outside the box that looped into the top corner.

The contest developed into a tough physical battle in the rain. Sartini was unlucky when he again shot wide after a lovely back-heel from Jack Stapley but neither side looked likely to take advantage as the prospect of penalties loomed.

Yarm, however, finished the strongest. Substitute Jack Proctor headed against a post five minutes from the end of normal time and Town ‘keeper Jacob Crowle made a vital stop from Peter Bulmer when another of the visitors’ replacements was clean through.

But there was no stopping Harry Stewart-Titchiner when he dispatched the decider three minutes into stoppage time after Town failed to clear a corner. Crowle got his fingertips to his shot but the ball cannoned off a post and in, sparking wild celebrations from the large contingent of visiting fans.

Northallerton now have to regroup for a vital home league match with play-off contenders Boro Rangers at the Calvert Stadium on Saturday (3pm). “We have five league games left and they’re all cup finals,” says manager Colin Myers as he strives to lead his side to First Division safety.

Northallerton Town: Crowle, Rudd, Jacob Wilson, Coatsworth, Myers (Jack Wilson 69), Sartini, Stapley, Hughes, Croft (Shodeinde 65), Banks (Prudhoe 62), Martin.

Subs not used: Grundle, Short.

Yarm & Eaglescliffe: L Roberts, Garton (Fixter 46), Conway, E Jones (Cheesbrough 68), Wild, Jack Dalton (Proctor 70), Stewart-Titchiner, Williams, Atkinson (Bulmer 87), S Roberts (Joe Dalton 36), Marshall.

Att: 306.