A hard-fought draw with Horden followed by a gritty first away win of the season at Newcastle Benfield has restored optimism and belief in their dressing-room. The smiles and fist pumps as the players left the field at the Sam Smith Sport Ground said it all.

Confidence is beginning to spread through this new-look squad as Jamie Poole and Anth Lee add more and more key components. The three debutants they introduced at Benfield all suggest they will improve the team in the months ahead.

Newly arrived from Whickham, Lewis Martin is the kind of striker Northallerton have sorely lacked in recent seasons – he’s strong, powerfully-built and made the perfect start to his Town career with a goal and a stand-out performance.

Right-back Callum Wilson, who is on a dual registration with Whitby Town, was impressive at right-back in the first half and versatile enough to cover at centre-back from the start of the second period when Norton Tomlinson was forced to retire sick.

Midfielder Frankie Alderson became one of the youngest players ever to represent the club when he made his first start just days after his 16th birthday. He did enough to suggest he will be a real asset in the months – and potentially years – ahead.

Manager Jamie Poole drafted another new boy, Joe Eason, into the centre of defence as injuries continue to affect this position. And it was the former Marske United and Billingham Town player who opened the scoring for Northallerton two minutes before half-time.

Benfield ‘keeper Adam Martin came out for a left-wing corner but missed the ball, and there was Eason to slide it over the line.

Two minutes later, Town doubled their advantage through Lewis Martin, who latched on to a long ball out of defence to beat his namesake with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. The warning sides had been there all half for the home side, with the new No9 bringing two good saves out of the ‘keeper and heading another two efforts narrowly wide.

Just as it was going so well, the balance of the contest changed in the 54th minute when Benfield pulled one back. Norton Tomlinson’s withdrawal at half-time with illness unbalanced the defence and centre-forward Matt Hayton duly took advantage.

He was left unchallenged to head in a routine cross for one of the easiest goals he will ever score. Perhaps Benfield had been studying recent match videos because this is a familiar problem for Northallerton.

So it was not a moment too soon when the manager introduced himself to shore up the back line. He did so impressively as Town concentrated on protecting their advantage.

Benfield could find no way through the patched up defence, with Mackenzie Crooks showing good awareness to clear off the line in the closing stages.

At the final whistle, the Town players celebrated with the away fans who never stopped backing the team before a happy trip home.

Newcastle Benfield: A Martin, Ames, J Watson, Orrell, Duffy (Marr 85), Jardine, Bolton (McPate 79), Simpson (Leach 60), Hayton, Nzumba, Christie (Cairns 64).

Sub not used: L Watson.

Northallerton Town: Fairless, Wilson, Crooks, Hopson, Tomlinson (Beasley 46), Eason (Poole 63), Creamer (Healy 55), Boucher, L Martin, Alderson, Naylor (Bramley 55).

Sub not used: Thomas.

Att: 70.