NORTHALLERTON TOWN were on the road to South Tyneside for Halloween, losing 4-0 to Hebburn Town in a league game.

Captain Tom Marron was back from injury for Town, who had recruited Josh Smith from Billingham Town.

Early exchanges were even, with Town looking organised. Dan Jones got in a clearing header, Cieran Jackson tried a shot and a Hornets defender was cautioned for an off the ball foul. A promising move for Town involving Josh Smith, John Howard culminated with Cieran Jackson being caught offside.

There was controversy in the 14th minute when the ball was fired into the arm of Dan Jones, who was prostrate on the ground. The referee awarded a penalty, which Cedwyn Scott took and scored.

Town were playing good football with Nat Stephenson and James Risborough combining well down the wing. John Howard and Cieran Jackson kept the pressure on but shots were blocked. Antony Snook was also involved in several shots on goal.

In the 29th minute the Hornets scored a second goal when a ball into the area behind the Town defence was latched onto by Tom Potter, who scored with ease to give the hosts a 2-0 cushion. They made it 3-0 minutes later when Dan Jones brought down a Hornet player in the box and Cedwyn Scott scored his second penalty of the game.

Town attacks were becoming more infrequent as the Hornets turned the screw ahead of the half time whistle.

Town battled well to get back into the game in the second period, but the Hornets proved too strong, and the home side wrapped up all three points when Michael Richardson made it 4-0 on 62 minutes.

In an eventful few minutes for Nat Stephenson, he had the ball in the net for Town but it was brought back for offside, had another shot tipped over by the 'keeper, and then limped off with an injury to be replaced by Joe Martin.

Full Time : Hebburn 4 Northallerton Town 0.

Teams

Hebburn: Mark Foden, Dan Groves, Darren Lough, Robbie Spence, Loius Storey (c) Dan Carson, Tom Potter, Olly Martin, Carl Taylor, Cedwyn Scott, Damien Mullen. Subs: Mick Mckeown Graeme Armstrong, Mick Richardson, Amar Purewal.

Northallerton Town: Tom Dawson, Lee Brookbank, James Risborough, Matt Crust, Dan Jones (c) Antony Snook, Josh Smith, Andrew Shepherd, Cieran Jackson Nat Stephenson and John Howard. Subs: Mick Rae, Joe Martin, Stephen Cheeseman, Tom Marron, Kieran Ezard.

Referee: Martin Conroy