They finished the match shell-shocked and with 10 men after a second-half collapse against form team Easington. It was their heaviest home defeat since a 5-0 mauling by Whitley Bay in March as the Colliers leapfrogged Bishop Auckland to go top of the table.

There was no sign of the pain to come in a positive opening during which Northallerton took the lead and belied their lowly league status. But Easington responded with two quickfire goals just before half-time before moving into overdrive after the break.

Another blow for Town came when player-coach Dale Hopson was injured in the warm-up, rendering him a spectator on the bench. Liam McGrath replaced the unavailable Ben Fairless in goal and Blake Drury and Paul Roddam returned at centre-back.

There was little to choose between the sides in an even start. There have been four penalties in Northallerton’s last three matches and the latest one was awarded to the home side after 23 minutes.

James Boucher was floored in the box and centre-forward Lewis Martin finished confidently from the spot. He went on to bring a good save out of ‘keeper James Hopkinson and hit another impressive effort narrowly wide.

Easington levelled in the 44th minute through James Watson and took the lead in stoppage time through Nathan Greenwood. Those goals seemed to knock the stuffing out of Northallerton who conceded four further goals in the second half.

Liam Adamson grabbed two and Watson grabbed his second as Town ended the contest in total disarray, compounded by Eddie Thomas’s sending-off for what the referee adjudged was the use of an elbow. Club officials will study the match video to see if there are grounds for appeal.

Northallerton Town: McGrath, Wilson (Beasley 90+1), Littlefair, Roddam, Drury, Harnett, Davies (Alderson 70), Boucher, Martin (Bramley 70), Thomas, Crooks (Creamer 56).

Sub not used: Hopson.

Easington Colliery: Hopkinson, Maw, Ord (Stanton 90), Kenney, Agnew, Taylor, Greenwood, Watson (Elliott 70), Hennis (Eltringham 78), Herron (Pearn 56), Adamson.

Subs not used: Bott.

Att: 247.