Durham United were skilful and well organised and deserved to beat an under-par Northallerton in the biggest match in their history. Town will look back on two goals chalked off by controversial refereeing decisions, but the truth was they were second best in this FA Vase tie.

Northallerton are stuck in a spin cycle of bad results and poor performances. They need to find a way to shore up one of the leakiest defences in the Northern League First Division and create more menace in attack.

Tuesday's trip to last year’s losing play-off finalists, Shildon, comes when confidence is low – but the revival has to start somewhere.

Skipper Liam Darville was back for the preliminary-round tie with Durham in an unfamiliar position in central defence, partnering Billy Mason on his full debut. Oli Swan was back in goal in place of Ben Fairless and player-coach Dale Hopson returned in midfield.

The contest was only 11 minutes old when Durham took the lead following another defensive horror show from Town. An attempted clearance rebounded off the bar and into the path of Fred Walton, who tapped in one of the easiest goals of his career.

Town thought they had equalised two minutes later when they scrambled the ball in the net following a corner. But the referee ruled it out, citing a foul on Durham goalkeeper Pat Dixon.

The visitors doubled their lead after 56 minutes through Dan Rehimbek, who sprung through the lines in a slick move. Hopson and Harry Healy had shots saved or narrowly off-target as Town spent the rest of the second half trying to find a way through the opposition defence.

But Durham stood firm to the frustration of Northallerton players and fans alike, especially when they had the ball in the net again late in the match only to have that effort also ruled out.

Northallerton Town: Swan, Beasley (Taylor 56), Littlefair, Sartini (Martin 70), Darville, Mason (Stapley 22), Kitching (Bramley 53), Boucher, Healy, Hopson, Crooks.

Sub not used: Fairless.

Durham United: Dixon, Rees, Hardy (Smith 69), Nissim, Clarke, Duenkel, Rehimbek, Bell, Kay, Stewart, Walton (Roberts 90+1).

Subs not used: Tucker, Doran.

Att:118.