Whitby made a bright start and almost took the lead inside two minutes. Stuart Rose found space at the near post and directed an effort towards goal, only for a Northallerton defender to react quickly and block behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece failed to trouble the hosts, but it served as an early indication of Whitby's attacking intent.

The visitors enjoyed a competitive opening period, but it was Northallerton who struck first midway through the half. In the 23rd minute, Josh Allen rose highest from a corner and powered a downward header towards goal. George Scaife, deputising in goal for the absent Jack Norton, did well to get a hand to the effort but was unable to keep it out as the hosts took the lead.

Northallerton doubled their advantage six minutes later under controversial circumstances. Charlie Stirland was adjudged to have fouled his man inside the penalty area following what appeared to be only slight contact from behind. The decision looked a soft one, particularly as the Northallerton player remained on his feet, but Samuel Packer pointed to the spot. Harry Healy made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Scaife the wrong way to make it 2-0.

Whitby responded positively and came close to reducing the deficit before the break. Callum Hickman broke clear in the 34th minute, but with the angle working against him, he was unable to find a way past goalkeeper Ben Fairless. Six minutes later, the Seasiders thought they had pulled one back when Rose turned home from Ben Turner's free-kick, only for the assistant referee's flag to rule the effort out for a tight offside.

At the other end, Northallerton's trialist number nine had a chance to extend the lead shortly before half-time, but he drilled his effort wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Whitby emerged for the second half looking to find a route back into the contest. Five minutes after the restart, Stan Hewitt delivered an inviting deep cross towards the back post where Lucas Reed arrived unmarked, only to direct his effort straight into the hands of the home goalkeeper.

Hewitt then went close himself in the 56th minute after racing through on goal. The midfielder looked set to test Fairless, but a significant bobble in the pitch disrupted his low effort at the crucial moment, sending the ball off target.

Scaife was called into action again in the 69th minute and produced an excellent save to keep Whitby's hopes alive, tipping Joe Martin's strike from a tight angle away from danger. Hickman also threatened with 12 minutes remaining, but his first-time effort from the edge of the area was well blocked by a resilient Northallerton defence.

Whitby finally found the breakthrough in the 81st minute when Marley Grant was brought down inside the penalty area. Reed stepped up and confidently converted the resulting spot-kick, finding the bottom-left corner despite the goalkeeper diving the right way.

The late goal set up a tense finale, but Northallerton held firm to secure victory.