But while ever there are points to be won, Northallerton will not give up the fight.

Propping up the table before Tuesday’s clash with play-off contenders Whitley Bay, they are now five points adrift of second-bottom Whickham, who celebrated a narrow victory over Marske on the same night. With top-of-the-table Guisborough next up at the Calvert Stadium on Saturday, they face another tough challenge.

The interim management team of Dion Raitt and Matty Calvert have agreed to take charge of the side until the end of the season following the resignation of Colin Myers at the weekend and have wasted no time in bolstering the squad.

Midfielder James O’Brien, who played for the club last season, was one of three fresh faces on the bench against Bay following his transfer from Grangetown Boys Club, alongside cover signings Ethan McLoughlin and Jamie Wilson from Annfield Plain.

With regular ‘keeper Jacob Crowle injured, Andy Coulson made his debut between the posts. He hardly had time to put his gloves on before Bay took the lead. Leading scorer Mackenzie Sharpe showed why he is one of the league’s top marksmen by producing a classy left-foot finish.

They doubled their advantage after 24 minutes when Callum Larmouth drilled in a free-kick from the edge of the box. A minute later, they effectively put the game out of Northallerton’s reach when Sharpe scored his second after good build-up play from Mikel Thompson and Larmouth.

Town’s best chance came midway through the half when Jack Wilson produced what looked like a goalbound shot only for Bay ‘keeper Mauro Asikaogu to make a terrific point-blank save on the line to keep it out.

Sharpe sealed his hat-trick a minute before the break when he rounded Coulson after a good set-up by Thompson. Northallerton set out to salvage pride in the second half and carved out some good opportunities.

Asikaogu made a good save from Jacob Wilson to tip his shot away for a corner and substitute Matty Kirokiro shot narrowly wide. But although Town enjoyed more possession, Bay added a fifth goal in the 66th minutes through substitute Owen Lees.

Northallerton never stopped battling and launched a late flourish in which Asikaogu did well to tip a Harry Croft header over the bar and Jacob Wilson fired an effort wide.

Northallerton Town: Coulson, Jack Wilson, Martin, Rudd, Jacob Wilson (Jamie Wilson 86), Sartini (O’Brien 72), Coatsworth, Banks, Croft, Stapley (Kirokiro 55), Short.

Sub not used: McLoughlin.

Whitley Bay: Asikaogu, Stewart, Aplin (Christie 58), Kanda (Archie Livermore 77), Achu, Errington, Shilling, Forster (Lees 58), Mackenzie, Thompson, Larmouth (Alfie Livermore 77).

Sub not used: Nkunku.

Att: 203.