Northallerton Town 0

Norton & St'ckton Ancients 3

NORTHALLERTON Town's hopes of playing first division football next season all but disappeared following last Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Norton and Stockton Ancients.

After a run of poor results in the last four games, this was a game Town just had to win to stay in contention with the teams above them. But Norton, who are the league's form team at the moment, completely controlled the game, especially in the second half when they scored three superb goals.

Town manager Paul Burton was able to recall central defender Craig Winter following illness, but midfield schemer Steve Cochrane was still missing due to suspension, while David Onions was preferred to partner Craig Skelton up front with John Ryan on the bench.

The home side made the better start as they attacked from the kick-off, but no clear-cut chances were created and it was Norton who had the first attempt on goal with their first attack. But home keeper Sam Dobbs made a good low save as he went full length to his left to keep out a 20-yard drive from Chris Fawcett.

Northallerton replied through Skelton, who chested the ball down before turning his marker and firing in a powerful shot which Norton keeper Steven Gill was only able to parry, but no Town forward was on hand to take advantage.

In a scrappy game Town created further chances and they went close in the 35th minute when Ian Williams went clear, but his shot from the edge of the area just cleared the bar.

Four minutes later Skelton was put clear by a forward pass from Dominic Gamble, but his attempted lob over Gill lacked height, allowing the keeper to make a comfortable save.

Norton controlled the opening period of the second half, with Dobbs making a point-blank save in the 48th minute to deny Australian hitman Tyson Masters, who hit a first-time volley following a left-wing cross from ex-Middlesbrough player Lee Tucker.

But Norton took the lead a minute later through Martin Thompson, who headed home from the edge of the six-yard box following a left-sided free kick from Tucker.

The visitors continued to press and Steve Roberts hit a superb 25-yard free kick which Dobbs did well to turn over the bar.

Town hit back and Skelton created a good opening for himself when he turned sharply on the edge of the box, but the alert Gill saved at the near post.

Norton almost extended their lead in the 75th minute through Roberts, who was desperately unlucky to see his 20-yard screamer hit the inside of the post before Town scrambled the ball to safety.

Town threw everything forward in a desperate bid to salvage at least a point, but they were caught out in the 87th minute when David Abel forced the ball home from close range following a Tucker left-wing corner.

Two minutes later ex-Town player John Outhwaite made it three. Left unmarked in the area, he fired home from 15 yards following a right-wing cross from substitute Lewis Powell.

The defeat dropped Northallerton to fifth in the league with 70 points from 34 games.

They travel to Kennek Ryhope CA tomorrow and on Tuesday they are at home to Seaham Red Star, kick-off 7.30.