This barnstorming second-round tie could have gone either way but it was a double strike by former Northallerton forward Sonni Coleman that broke the hearts of home fans in one of the biggest crowds of the season.

Skipper Liam Darville was back after suspension to replace the injured James Coatsworth and Tafari Nicholas returned to the starting line-up in place of Jack Stapley at right wing-back.

It took only 15 minutes for Northallerton to take the lead. Crook were punished for a handball in the area and Nathan Stephenson, who has an impressive goals record from midfield, stepped up to apply a cool finish from the spot.

Goalkeeper Callum Dobson was in top form again to make a superb stop from Harry Laviolette midway through a first half in which there were few chances for either side.

There was a warning of what was to come when Coleman scuffed his shot wide when well-placed after 51 minutes. And on the hour, he punished the home defence for failing to clear a deep free-kick from outside the box.

Showing good opportunism, he headed home the loose ball for the equaliser – and from that point, it became anyone’s game to reach the next round.

Adam Walker, who typically never stopped running all afternoon, was agonisingly close to putting Alistair Banks through one-on-one with keeper Yabub only to be denied by a vital interception from namesake Alex Walker. Then came a good chance for substitute Joe Dixon when Yabub scuffed a clearance straight into his path.

Unfortunately for the home side, Yabub redeemed himself with a save as Dixon let fly.

There were clearances off the line at both ends, Darville coming to the rescue 10 minutes from the end – and as the prospect of penalties loomed large, Stephenson hit a post.

That scenario changed when Coleman applied another clinical finish for Crook’s winner four minutes from the end. Northallerton threw the kitchen sink at their visitors in a rousing finish, with near-misses and last-minute clearances ensuring there was to be no fairytale ending for Newall’s boys.

Northallerton Town: Dobson, Nicholas, Cocks, Darville, Harwood, Allen, Raper (Lamb 78’), Adam Walker, Blinco (Dixon 67’), Stephenson, Banks (McCormack 88’).

Subs not used: Stapley, Dryden.

Crook Town: Yabub, Goldsborough, Matthews, Mitton, Alex Walker, Laviolette, Nicholson (Macdonald 72’), Trotter, Coleman (Atkinson 88’), Brown (Bunton 62’), Moody.

Subs not used: Rudd, Gardiner.

Man of the Match: Callum Dobson.

Att: 330.