Tow Law Town 1 Northallerton Town 0

NORTHALLERTON Town slumped to their third consecutive defeat when they went down 1-0 away at mid-table Tow Law Town.

Following on from heavy defeats at Dunston Federation, 3- 0, and Whitley Bay 6-3, Town were desperate to get something out of this game and, had it not been for a late penalty, they could have come away with what would have been a deserved point.

Scoring opportunities were limited in a dull first half with the first real threat falling to Tow Law in the 25th minute when a 30-yard drive from Darren Hollingsworth was parried by Town keeper Paddy Pisani, the ball falling to the feet of Scott Nicholson who fired high over the bar from 10 yards.

Then, in the 40th minute, a left-sided free kick from Tow Law’s Gavin Mudd was headed over the bar by Lee Hamilton.

Town’s best chance came right on the stroke of half-time when a right wing cross from John Ryan was met by Scott Mc- Nicol but, from a good position in front of goal, he put in a weak header which ex-Northallerton keeper Simon Bishop easily saved.

The game livened up in the second period with Town going close in the 50th minute through Gary Shardha who hit a great shot from the edge of the area that went inches over the bar.

Tow Law replied in the 58th minute when full-back Hollingsworth, on the left wing, played the ball inside to Mudd but his shot from the angle of the area drifted just wide of the far post.

Then, a minute later, a low shot from just inside the area by David Henderson was brilliantly saved at the foot of the post by Pisani.

Tow Law were now having the better of the game and they went close in the 62nd minute when, following a good move down the left, Nicholson fired wide of the near post.

Town hit back through Steve Roberts who hit a great 20-yard drive, following a right-wing cross from Shardha that went just wide of the far post.

Tow Law were desperately unlucky in the 68th minute when a goalbound header from Nicholson was deflected over the bar by Paul Jack.

But Town were caught out in the 75th minute when a long ball upfield from Richard Langthorne split the static Town defence, allowing Mark Eccles a clear run into the area, but, with a clear view of goal, he was brought down from behind by Gary Shardha who was promptly sent off. Eccles himself stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick and, although Pisani got a hand to the ball, he scored the decisive goal.

Town had two late chances to salvage a point as firstly, a close range shot from McNicol beat keeper Bishop but defender Mudd was on hand to clear off the line, and then in the 83rd minute a McNicol right wing cross was headed inches over the bar by Ryan.

Town are at home tomorrow when Dunston Federation are the visitors, kick-off 3pm.