Northallerton Town's promotion hopes were dealt another blow when they were beaten 2-0 at mid-table Horden last Saturday.

They have now dropped to seventh place in division two with 33 points from 19 games, 13 behind leaders Shildon, who have played a game less.

Following the disappointment of the previous weekend's 0-0 draw at home to Esh Winning, this was a game Town just had to win to stay in contention.

But Horden, beaten by Northallerton earlier in the season, were the better side, especially in the second half, and thoroughly deserved the win.

After a cautious opening, the home side created the first chance in the 21st minute.

A right wing corner from Jon King was only half cleared to Dave Thompson on the edge of the area, but he fired high over the bar.

Town's best chance came in the 23rd minute when Lee Johnston hit a great strike from the edge of the box, but home keeper Steve Tierney produced a wonder save as he went full length to his left to turn the ball away.

Horden hit back, but they couldn't find a way through a well organised defence and were mainly restricted to long range efforts.

A 20-yard drive from Craig Stevens in the 26th minute was easily dealt with by Northallerton keeper Darren Poole, as was a 30-yard effort from King two minutes later.

Stevens and Kevin Devine also tried their luck with 25-yard shots, which again presented no problems for Poole.

But Devine was desperately unlucky in the 36th minute when his shot from just outside the area was tipped onto the bar by Poole.

Horden were having the better of the play and they had a great chance to break the deadlock five minutes before the break, but John Cowley's header, following a cross from the right, skimmed the bar.

The visitors made a good start to the second half and they created an excellent chance to take the lead in the 50th minute when Steven Boyle forced his way through.

But, from a good position, he screwed his low shot wide of the far post.

Eight minutes later, substitute Jock McKinlay played a great knock-down to Neil Preston, but Tierney was quickly off his line to smother the ball at the Town striker's feet.

The home side then took control and went close in the 61st minute through John Webster, whose header from Cooper's left-sided free kick went just wide of Poole's left-hand post.

Poole then had to make a fine save to deny Thompson, who had cut in from the right before shooting from 20 yards.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute when Horden substitute Craig Lines ran across the edge of the Town area before beating Poole with a low, angled drive from the left which went in at the far post.

Worse was to follow for Northallerton as Horden made the game safe eight minutes from time.

Devine broke from the halfway line following a Town corner and he calmly slotted home from ten yards as Poole came off his line.

Manager Peter Mulcaster said afterwards that the effort put in by his team was much better than in the previous two games.

He added: "There was plenty of graft out there from my side today, but unfortunately there was little craft."

Northallerton are at home to struggling Murton tomorrow, kick off 3pm.

l Northallerton went down 3-1 at home to Unibond League side Whitby Town in the North Riding Senior Cup on Wednesday night.