In the process, Aycliffe, only in their second season in the Northern Premier League system, reached the First Round Proper of the FA Trophy at Town's expense.

Liam Jarvie, who looked an attacking threat throughout the match, scored the winner, turning in from close range on the rebound following an initial save from Shane Bland six minutes from time.

The home side survived plenty more nervous moments during this Third Qualifying Round tie, with goalkeeper Bland superb throughout, particularly when making two similar saves to deny both Jake Petitjean and Cole Kiernan in the first half.

At times, Whitby were almost the architects of their own downfall, particular when they were caught in possession at the back in the opening exchanges, only for Gary Liddle to come to the rescue with a defensive block.

The best it really got for the Seasiders in the first half was in the fifth minute when Joe Gibson made a darting run forwards from midfield before rolling an effort narrowly wide of the mark. Gibson would later be replaced on the half-hour mark by Alfie Doherty in a move manager Nathan Haslam described as a "tactical change."

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with the Newtonians on top at the Towbar Express Stadium. Their intentions were made clear once more as Kieran Jackson fired onto the roof of the netting with an effort that was struck into the ground, with Whitby really retracted to half-chances at best; the closest they came perhaps being in the 58th minute when Frankie Whelan, returning from injury, headed wide following a Nathan Thomas corner.

Ex-Blue Kiernan, who made a handful of appearances towards the back end of the 2021/22 campaign, looked to have given his current side the lead on the hour as his fierce effort struck Bland's right-hand post. Somehow the ball didn't find the net, despite striking the inside of the woodwork and then rolling across the goal-line.

Substitute Wayne Whitfield found himself with a couple of presentable opportunities, firstly striking over the crossbar, before hitting an effort wide following more sloppy Seasiders' defending.

A Town victory would have been extremely harsh on Newton Aycliffe given what they had contributed to the game, but Whitby nearly did nick it in the 77th minute following a brilliant low delivery from Aaron Haswell. The former Ossett United man's cross initially just evaded the toe of Stephen Walker but the ball fell for the striker again. With his back to goal, Walker went for a back-heeled effort which was hit straight into the arms of Aycliffe shot-stopper James Pollard.

There were sudden unexpected signs of life in the Town side, brought on by substitutes, as Campbell Darcy then allowed Walker to get a shot in on goal three minutes later. Once again, the forward was denied by Pollard.

Despite these two big opportunities, Newton Aycliffe did take a deserved lead in minute 84. Bland did well to prevent Jarvie initially, but with no defensive held, Aycliffe's number ten was able to put the rebound home before celebrating wildly with the strong travelling contingent of supporters.

Whitby Town return to action with a trip to Morpeth Town on Saturday, 12th October. Seats on the supporters' coach can be booked here.

Whitby Town FC

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