Layton Watts' fine free-kick fired the Seasiders into an early lead at the Auto Centre Safety Stadium, the attacking midfielder's third goal of the season in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, before John Murphy's clinical finish levelled the clash in the 69th minute.

With hopes of a third straight clean sheet out the window, Whitby were dealt a further blow in quick succession as Tony Donaldson netted the eventual match-winner, turning the ball home from a loose clearance as Gary Liddle's men suffered a first defeat of 2026.

Four changes were made from the side which claimed a 1-0 win against Ilkeston Town in midweek, with Lewis Hawkins returning to captain the side in place of Adam Gell, while Ben Farrar, Watts and Frankie Whelan replaced Jake Charles, Donald Chimalilo and Nathan McGinley.

The Seasiders began the clash in strong fashion as Farrar went agonisingly close to scoring his first Town goal since his recent arrival from York City on dual-registration, rising high at the back post before the young striker's looping header went wide.

Whitby took the lead in the 21st minute as Watts netted this third goal of the season. After he was tripped around 25-yards from goal, the former Redcar Athletic and West Auckland Town man found the bottom corner of the net from the dead ball, just beyond the reach of Matteo Spinelli.

Spinelli was concerned shortly after when Harley Dawson rattled his crossbar from a tight angle. In the end, the ball went out for a thrown-in, such was the power behind the strike.

Shane Bland produced a key stop to deny Prescot from levelling for the hosts. Despite being pinned on his line, the Whitby stopper was able to tip a looping ball over his bar.

Matthew Tymon was unable to double Whitby's lead as the 35-year old met Dawson's cross, only to head over the bar, while Watts forced a comfortable low save from Spinelli.

Prescot survived another goalscoring opportunity from the visitors before half-time, with Farrar peeling into space before hitting a powerful first-time effort into the legs of a defender.

In the second-half Prescot caused more of a threat to the Town backline, Charley Doyle rattling the woodwork at the far edge of the box but Whitby survived for now following a bright start to the second period from the home side.

Watts was unable to net his second goal of the match after collecting the loose ball when Dawson's low strike struck the post, but the goalscorer's attempted shot at goal was well defended, with the ball cleared.

The home side thought they had levelled matters as Murphy capitalised on a spillage from Bland after Sharif Deans' initial effort, but he somehow poked the ball wide from point-blank range.

Prior to this moment, Bland was visibly struggling with a muscle issue in the Whitby goal, subsequently limiting his movement and kicking ability.

And Whitby found themselves on level terms just shy of the 70-minute mark as Murphy equalised for the North West outfit, sneaking in behind to place an effort beyond the reach of Bland.

The visitors were dealt a further blow in the 75th minute as Donaldson netted Prescot's second goal of the afternoon, with the half-time substitute getting onto Connor Smith's headed clearance following a corner before directing a thunderous finish into the top corner.

Whitby withstood further attacking pressure as Cables looked dangerous from set-pieces, particularly when Murphy headed over the bar following an attacking free-kick.

Seeking an equaliser, Chimalilo, introduced from the bench, was unable to net a goal as the Zambian attacking midfielder weaved in and out of the Prescot defence before curling just wide of Spinelli's left-hand post.

Despite four minutes of stoppage time, Whitby were unable to net an all-important equaliser as their two-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end.