CROOK TOWN 2 NORTHALLERTON TOWN 0
TOWN ended 2012 with a disappointing defeat at new Division Two leaders Crook Town on Saturday.
With several players missing, Town failed to produce their best form and saw their 13 match unbeaten away run in the league - a record stretching back to March - brought to an end.
The Town starting XI saw three changes from the Boxing Day draw with Darlington RA. Leading scorer Adam Emson, Stephen Butterworth and Marcus Laing were all unavailable so Stu Dunn, Ian Smurthwaite and Wayne Gredziak all came in.
Crook, who came into the game on the back of an 11 match winning, got off to the perfect start in their quest for a club record 12th when Chris Wallace headed home at the second attempt after just 16 minutes.
Town were forced to chase the game after that and manager Mark Fanning brought on York City Academy graduate Chris Dickinson for Carl Chillingsworth on the hour.
But the nearest they came to what would have proved to be a vital equaliser was when Gav Parkin rattled the crossbar midway through the second half.
That proved to be the turning point as Crook sealed the points, and the club record, when Kyle Davis headed home a left wing cross from Dave Gordon in the closing stages.
"If Gav's effort had gone in, then it would have been a different story," said manager Mark Fanning at the whistle.
"Our game plan was not to concede an early goal, but they were quicker and sharper than us today."
Town will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Brandon United on Saturday, before facing a trip to York City in the North Riding Senior Cup the following Tuesday.
TOWN - Craggs, Alderson, Dunn, Hickman, Shoulder, Parkin, Smurthwaite, Burton, Bulmer, Chillingsworth, Gredziak. Subs - Banks, Bowman, Dickinson, Caisley.
REFEREE: S. Henry.
ATTENDANCE: 145
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