Conceding cheap goals is their most destructive trend and Newton Aycliffe became the latest side to profit when the sides met at Moore Lane on Tuesday.

It’s a learning curve for Town’s promising youngsters and the team will clearly benefit from the return of a few more experienced players for the visit of Durham United in the FA Vase on Saturday.

Aycliffe have had problems of their own since relegation last season and came into this match on a run of four defeats. But confidence visibly grew on their way to their first victory of the season.

Manager Jamie Poole handed a debut to Mackenzie Crooks at left-back for Northallerton and his set-piece prowess promises to be an asset. Joe Kitching replaced the unavailable James Boucher in midfield and Josh Allen was back at centre-back in place of Norton Tomlinson.

Aycliffe twice hit a post midway through the first half and only a goal-line clearance from Josh Allen prevented them from taking the lead in the 20th minute. Harry Healy had gone closest for Town, heading wide from a corner in the early stages.

The match took a pivotal turn with three goals in the final five minutes of the half. Aycliffe took the lead in the 41st minute from a penalty – the fourth to be awarded against Northallerton in five league games.

Sam Johnson confidently converted before the home side doubled their advantage with a skilful finish from Andrew Nelson two minutes later. Town pulled one back in the first minute of stoppage time when Jack Stapley scored from close range after the Aycliffe defence failed to clear a corner.

The visitors rarely looked like closing the gap in a disappointing second half and they conceded another sloppy goal after 62 minutes. Matty Slocombe was left free to fire past Ben Fairless from a corner, and after that the points were heading only one way.

Newton Aycliffe: Shanley, Gibson (Rudd 80), Pascoe, Slocombe (Raitt 89), Nelson, Brumwell, Johnson, Orrell, Nelson, Clarkson, Dawson.

Subs not used: Atkinson, Dobinson, Short.

Northallerton Town: Fairless, Beasley, Crooks, Sartini, Littlefair, Allen (Tomlinson 74), Townsend (Mason 67), Kitching, Healy, Stapley, Martin (Taylor 51).

Subs not used: Swan, Poole.

Att: 259.