The win ended a run of six defeats in all competitions for the home side and will give the interim management team encouragement ahead of Saturday’s home league meeting with third-placed Shildon.

First-half goals from top scorer Lewis Martin and new signing Jake Stott put them in a strong position but the Second Division visitors pulled a goal back immediately after the break and battled hard for an equaliser.

Northallerton made six changes to the side that lost 3-2 at Thornaby the previous weekend. Player-coach Dale Hopson came back into midfield alongside 16-year-old Frankie Alderson and James Boucher, who returned after suspension.

Another new arrival, Tom Alngohuru, was handed a first start in midfield and Kieran Harnett was back in the centre of defence. Martin returned at centre-forward with Eddie Thomas, scorer of two goals at Thornaby, reverting to the bench.

The plan was to give minutes to as many players as possible and manage resources ahead of the Shildon match.

Northallerton started strongly and Martin and Alderson both had efforts saved prior to the opener after 19 minutes. Martin scored his ninth goal of the season after the ball was put on a plate for him following an intelligent cross from Stott.

The lively Alngohuru also tested Alnwick ‘keeper Ben Luke, who pushed his shot round a post for a corner before Stott got on the scoresheet himself - his first goal for the club - just before the break.

The former FC Hartlepool winger latched on to a superb pass from Alderson and tore through the defence to convert a powerful right-foot shot.

Alnwick pulled one back two minutes into the second half through Euan Potts and the visitors began to enjoy more of the play. Ben Fairless made a couple of vital stops as Northallerton clung on to their slender advantage.

Both sides emptied their benches by introducing five substitutes apiece as play became increasingly scrappy. But Northallerton saw the job through to claim a second-round visit to Darlington Town in the third round on a date to be announced.

“It wasn’t pretty but a win’s a win and it was all about getting through to the next round,” said assistant manager Anth Lee. “Alnwick didn’t make it easy for us but getting the win will give us confidence ahead of a tough challenge against Shildon.”

Northallerton Town: Fairless, C Wilson, Love, Hopson (Sartini 46), Harnett (Beasley 55), Drury, Stott (Thompson 64), Boucher, Martin (Thomas 64), Alderson, Alngohuru (Bramley 64).

Alnwick Town: Luke, Dopson, Rawlinson, Leonard (J Wilson 75), Dalton (Heap 71), Wilkinson, Clark (Muhammed 78), Swinburn (Malone 75), Potts (Waugh 71), T Wilson, Cockburn.

Att: 102.