Northallerton manager Mark Fanning was delighted with his side’s showing at First Division Newcastle Benfield in the League Cup on Wednesday night.

The second division outfit led 1-0 at half time and were level at 1-1 with seven minutes remaining, before they went down 3-1.

“We played well in the first half,” he said. “We scored one, and had another disallowed. But they equalised just three minutes after the restart, and we couldn’t get the ball out because the wind got stronger and stronger.

“It was a great experience for our lads, and Benfield’s level is what we should be aspiring to.”

West Auckland manager Peter Dixon didn’t have any complaints about their 2-0 defeat at Bedlington.

“We just never got going, it was one of those nights. Our preparation wasn’t very good, and we didn’t play well.

“I thought their lad punched the ball in for the second goal, but it wouldn’t have made any difference.”

Shildon needed a last minute goal to beat Marske United, and manager Gary Forrest said: “Our final ball wasn’t very good, but the windy conditions certainly didn’t help.”