MORPETH TOWN 1 BISHOP AUCKLAND 1
Bishop Auckland players react after an effort by Shaun Ryder (centre) goes close against Morpeth Town in the Ebac Northern League Division One replaced him and gave the hosts the lead within minutes of his introduction.
A ball into the Bishops’ area caused problems and Tobin got the last touch that forced the ball into the net.
That was the last action of a busy first-half, as Bishops rued a bad-looking injury to Lovegreen.
There was an early scare in the second-half for Morpeth as Andrew Johnson looked to have celebrated an equaliser.
However, the Bishops striker’s celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
The visitors seemed to grow in confidence as the half progressed, with Johnson going close again.
A goal seemed to be coming and it duly arrived in the 78th minute.
The impressive McAloon had been a constant thorn in the side of the Highwaymen defence, so it should have been no surprise that he was the creator of the goal.
The former Middlesbrough academy player broke into the Morpeth area and laid the ball into Johnson, who made no mistake from close-range.
The goal provoked a reaction from Morpeth as they looked to put the visitors under serious pressure.
Taylor found Liam Henderson in the Bishops area but the big front-man’s vicious effort was tipped over the bar by Young.
Things could have been even better for Bishops but Johnson saw a low drive brilliantly saved by Dryden. As the full-time whistle blew, there was a deep sense of satisfaction for the visitors and frustration for Morpeth.
The Highwaymen remain top of the Northern League, but this was a reminder that they won’t always have things their own way.