For the sixth consecutive season Northallerton Town were eliminated from the AXA FA Challenge cup at the first hurdle when they were defeated 2-0 away at Lancashire side Great Harwood Town.

But Town had their chances and for long periods had the better of Harwood, who play in Division One of the North West Counties League.

In the eighth minute they created the first real chance when a left sided shot from Robert Anderson brought a good save out of home keeper Denis Underwood. Then in the 13th minute Andy Thompson broke through the middle but, on a bumpy pitch with long grass, he failed to control the bouncing ball and his shot went just over the bar.

Town were almost caught out in the 27th minute by a quickly taken free kick from Graham Lightbrown from the edge of the area, but keeper Darren Poole, who was still organising his wall, recovered to palm the ball out to Andy Thompson who cleared at the expense of a corner.

But Town finished the half the stronger and they almost broke the deadlock in the 40th minute as a long ball from the left by Richard Dowson found Paul Combellack. His first-time volley skimmed the bar.

Great Harwood came out a more determined side at the start of the second half and they put the Town defence under strong pressure. Play was halted for a time after keeper Poole suffered an injury as he chased for a 50/50 ball with Great Harwood forward Damian McKay. After treatment he was able to carry on.

Town hit back in the 59th minute. A right wing free kick from Combellack was headed just wide by Paul O'Brien and then two minutes later a great 25-yard drive from Andy Brown was tipped over the bar by Underwood.

But Town were stunned in the 73rd minute when, against the run of play, Great Harwood took the lead courtesy of Andy Thompson who scored an own goal as he turned a left wing free kick from Warren Peake into his own net.

The Yorkshiremen came back with three good chances in a ten minute spell. In the 77th minute a great through ball from Richard Booth was met by Andy Brown but his shot was saved by Underwood and then in the 83rd minute a through ball from Matthew Swales put Iain Wagner clear but he produced a weak shot into the side netting. Finally, in the 87th minute, an O'Brien left wing cross was headed over the bar by Swales.

Great Harwood made the game safe in the 88th minute through Greg Windle.