Northrn League

Northallerton Town 1 Bishop Auckland 5

NORTHALLERTON Town will now definitely finish in the bottom three of the skilltrainingltd Northern League Division One following this 5-1 home defeat by fourth-bottom Bishop Auckland who themselves are now safe from the drop.

However Town, who are currently second bottom, may yet get a reprieve if they can finish the season in third bottom place and if the FA’s Leagues committee decide that midtable Morpeth Town, who have failed a ground inspection carried out by Northern League officials, be relegated for failing to carry out the necessary improvements to their Craig Park ground.

The Northern League management committee have given Morpeth permission to groundshare at neighbours Bedlington Terriers next season, but they have passed the decision on whether to relegate the club to the FA’s Leagues committee which meets on May 14.

If the FA agree that Morpeth be relegated then only the bottom two clubs in Division One, currently Northallerton Town and West Auckland Town, will face the drop.

This was a must-win game for both clubs as a win for the visitors would guarantee them safety, while a defeat for Town would condemn them to a bottom three finish.

Town manager Mark Fanning was forced to shuffle his attack, giving youngster Stephen Allison a start up front, as club captain, and leading scorer, Carl Chillingsworth was out injured.

Town made a positive start and they went close in just the 4th minute when Thomas Burke fired inches wide with a great 25-yard drive following a left-sided free kick from new signing Richard Thompson.

But the Bishops replied and they took the lead in the 11th minute through Mark Henson who turned sharply to hit a superb, curling 25-yard drive over home keeper Paul Clements.

And it got worse for Town as Bishops extended their lead in the 20th minute when Stephen Salvin beat Clements with a glancing header following a left wing cross from Luke Gilbert.

Town hit back and they came close to pulling a goal back in the 26th minute through Richard Thompson who hit a great shot from the edge of the area which was tipped over the bar by Bishops keeper Peter Jeffries.

Town continued to press and they got back into the game in the 31st minute through Stephen Allison who hit a great 30-yard drive which flew into the back of the net giving keeper Jeffries no chance.

But that was as good as it got for Town as Bishop Auckland completely controlled the second period and they went close to increasing their lead in the 59th minute when Amor Purewal was clear through on goal, but he was denied by a brilliant save from Clements.

Bishops secured the three valuable points in the 67th minute when a poor weak pass from Town’s Stuart Jackson exposed keeper Clements and the alert Henson nipped in to round the keeper and roll the ball into the empty net.

Town had now completely lost their way and they gifted Bishops their fourth goal in the 85th minute when a poor kick out by Clements went straight to Salvin who had time to pick his spot before firing into the un-guarded net from 25 yards.

Bishops went nap as Henson completed his hat-trick in the final minute when he forced the ball home at the second attempt after Clements had blocked his first effort.

On Wednesday night, Tow were beaten 2-0 at home by Whitley Bay.

Town play their final game of the season tomorrow when they travel to fifth-placed Sunderland Nissan.