This was another match the visitors could ill afford to lose after allowing Redcar Town to leapfrog them during the previous midweek. And with second-placed Easington visiting the Calvert Stadium on Friday, their quest to escape the bottom places could become even harder.

But at least they should have more fit players available after travelling to Cumbria with eight on the injured list and player-coach Dale Hopson completing a three-match suspension. Manager Jamie Poole drafted himself as an emergency midfielder and could name only four players on the bench, including cover goalkeeper Liam McGrath.

Playing with the slope in their favour, Northallerton started strongly and carved out a string of good chances. Defender Kieran Harnett, back in the side after recovering from a sickness bug, twice forced Kendal ‘keeper Matt Bailey into good saves and strikers Eddie Thomas and Lewis Martin also had efforts stopped or narrowly missed the target.

Kendal were very much second best during this period but nevertheless the visitors were indebted to Reece Littlefair for clearing a shot off the line before they went ahead with a penalty of their own after 31 minutes.

Martin was brought down in the box from a long throw-in and got up to take the kick himself, skilfully sliding his shot into the corner.

Lucas Bramley went close with a couple of efforts and Martin threatened to increase Northallerton’s advantage, only for Kendal to equalise in first-half stoppage time. Jamie Looker was left free at the back post to head past ‘keeper Ben Fairless.

After narrowly missing out on the play-offs last season, the Mintcakes have underachieved this term – but they grew in confidence after the break and put more pressure on the visitors’ defence.

Fairless made a couple of vital stops before Kendal were awarded a crucial penalty 11 minutes from the end. The referee ruled that manager Poole blocked a Greg McCaragher shot with his hand, and former York City striker Jason Walker converted confidently from the spot.

Northallerton threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser but the hosts held firm for their first home league victory since early August.

Kendal Town: Bailey, Jackson (Cooper 66), Sowerby, Clarke, Kenny, Russell, Taylor, Cowperthwaite, Looker (Walker 74), Casson (McCaragher 79), Green.

Subs not used: Bickson, Brown.

Northallerton Town: Fairless, Beasley, Crooks, Boucher, Harnet, Littlefair, Bramley, Poole (Kitching 81), Martin (Alderson 81), Thomas, Davies.

Subs not used: Mason, McGrath.

Att: 402.