It was a valiant effort by Town to pull it back after going two goals down early in the second half. They never stopped believing and there was relief all around the Calvert Stadium when they were rewarded for their endeavour with almost the last kick of the match.

“It felt like a win,” said assistant manager Anth Lee. “When we were 2-1 down with seconds to go, I thought it was game over – but fair play to the lads, the character they showed was unbelievable.”

With new striker Eddie Thomas injured, another reshuffle was required up front with Harry Healy back to lead the line and Jack Stapley restored on the right wing. Teenager Max Naylor reverted to the bench.

Northallerton’s bad habit of conceding goals from set-pieces was their undoing again when they conceded from a corner after 24 minutes. Horden centre-half and captain Elliot Wilson was unmarked to power a header past ‘keeper Ben Fairless.

The home side created a hatful of good opportunities before the break to get back on terms but couldn’t find the clinical finishing touch. Stapley had a shot saved when clean through and Healy, Luca Sartini and Hopson all put efforts narrowly wide.

At the other end, Town were grateful for the quick thinking of Mackenzie Crooks to clear a goalbound shot off the line.

Their task became even tougher when Horden doubled their lead three minutes into the second half, and the damage was done from another corner. Fairless made a great stop from Chris Wallace’s initial header but couldn’t prevent him netting at the second attempt.

Fifteen minutes later, Northallerton received a ray of hope when Ben Creamer pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the area. Even though Hopson is the designated penalty-taker, the winger was confident enough to pick up the ball and apply a nerveless finish.

As the minutes ticked down, man-of-the-match Creamer fired another shot just wide as Town piled forward in numbers. Then came Hopson’s winner.

A deep free-kick by Sartini was headed on by Norton Tomlinson and there was Hopson to pick up the pieces with a close-range conversion for his third goal of the season.

Northallerton Town: Fairless, Eason, Crooks, Hopson, Tomlinson, Roddam (Beasley 52), Stapley (Bramley 79), Sartini, Healy (Naylor 52), Boucher, Creamer.

Subs not used: Martin, Kitching.

Horden CW: Dean, Davis (Flounders 12), Cowan, Daley, Wilson (Elsdon 77), Williams, Angus, Wallace, McNeany (Purdy 64), Dixon (Middleton 71), Henderson.

Sub not used: Chappell.

Att: 186.