Crook Town 0

Northallerton Town 1

NORTHALLERTON Town's impressive run continued with a hard-fought victory at Crook Town last Saturday.

Town have taken 22 points from their last eight league games and are now equal third in division two, but they are still nine points adrift of leaders Prudhoe Town, who visit the Calvert Stadium tomorrow.

Crook, who beat Town 2-0 in the FA Vase earlier in the season, made a good start to the game, but were denied the lead by some brilliant saves by visiting keeper Sam Dobbs.

Their first real chance came in the tenth minute when a glancing header from centre forward Andy Shaw was heading for the bottom corner until Dobbs threw himself to his left to turn the ball away for a corner.

From Jonathan Milroy's resulting flag kick, Dobbs again excelled to tip a great strike from ex-Darlington striker Danny Mellanby over the bar.

The Northallerton keeper was immediately called into action again, diving low to keep out a close-range, downward header from Les Langley from Mellanby's corner.

Crook were having the better of the early exchanges and a snap shot from Shaw in the 22nd minute was again well-saved by Dobbs.

But Town gradually fought their way back into the game and went close in the 32nd minute through leading scorer Ross Diamond, whose well-struck drive was deflected over the bar.

The visitors missed a great chance to take the lead three minutes later when David Onions made a great run into the area, only to be brought down by a crude challenge from keeper Andrew Hoggarth, who escaped with just a caution.

The normally reliable Diamond took the resulting penalty, but, although sent the wrong way, Hoggarth made a fortunate save as the ball hit his right foot.

Town continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes of the half and Craig Winter went close with a header which beat Hoggarth but was cleared off the line by defender Ray Stanger.

Crook made a good start to the second half and Dobbs had to be at his best in the 52nd minute when he spread himself well to keep out a close-range effort from Milroy.

But Town soon took control as Onions played a great ball from the left to Andy Swalwell, whose 20-yard drive flashed just wide of the post.

The all-important goal came ten minutes from time courtesy of substitute Matthew Cook. He finished off a great move which started with a Diamond right-wing cross to the far post which was headed back across goal by Onions for Cook to fire home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Following their home game with leaders Prudhoe tomorrow, Town have three away games - at Penrith on Monday, December 27, Whickham on Monday, January 3 and Evenwood on Saturday, January 8.

Their next home game is on Saturday, January 15 when South Shields are the visitors. All games kick off at 3pm.