The Highwaymen tasted defeat for the first time this season when they went down 2-1 at Whitby Town on Bank Holiday Monday.

Luke Bythway put the hosts ahead before Liam Henderson levelled on the stroke of half time. Jack Foalle was harshly sent off before Brad Fewster converted a penalty. 

Morpeth were slow to start on a scorching afternoon on the North Yorkshire coast. Fewster went close to opening the scoring on only 2 minutes but his effort was blocked by Kris Thackray. 

Only 4 minutes later and Bythway got onto the end of a corner that was whipped into the box but his header was powered over the bar. 

The home side continued to dominate with Bythway and Kieran Weledji seeing efforts miss the target.

It was the wingback Brad Mills who had the next effort after good play by Fewster. The forward backheeled the ball into the path of the advancing Mills but his effort was blocked. 

The hosts deservedly took the lead when a free kick was clipped into the box and Bythway had time to volley the ball into the turf and over the despairing dive of Dan Lowson. 

It wasn’t until the 25th minute that Morpeth threatened and even then it was only a half chance. Sean Taylor curled the ball into the box but it didn’t quite drop for Henderson to finish.

The lead could have been doubled on 36 minutes when two former Blyth Spartans players combined with Arran Wearmouth crossing for Greg Rutherford but his header was wide of the post. 

The Highwaymen finally upped their intensity in the latter stages of the half with Sean Reid seeing a header cleared off the line by Bythway from a Sayer’s corner. 

Against the run of play, Morpeth drew level through the prolific Liam Henderson. Taylor did well down the right and delivered a cross to the back post where Henderson met it and beat Shane  Bland at the near post. 

The second half started with the Highwaymen on the front foot Morpeth seeing more of the ball. Sayer tested Bland only 2 minutes into the half when he drilled an effort on goal from 20yds but it was comfortable for the ‘keeper. 

Jack Foalle who was on in place of Henderson and Taylor both had chances to put the visitors ahead but weren’t able to take advantage of the chances. 

The home side reminded Morpeth of their intent when the dangerous Fewster had a free header at the far post but could only guide it at Lowson.

The turning point of the game occurred on 71 minutes when Foalle was shown a straight red card by the referee for catching Jaseem Shukar. A clearance was hit to halfway and Foalle caught the defender high with a boot despite never taking his eyes off the ball. The reaction of the home side did little to help matters and after a few moments, the red card was brandished. 

With 12 minutes remaining, the home side scored the winning goal with Fewster converting from the sport. Joe Walton tangled with Wearmouth in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. 

Morpeth continued to press and Tom Potter saw a header deflected wide of the post with Bland looking on helpless.

Despite 5 minutes of added time, the Highwaymen were unable to conjure an equaliser that their second half deserved. 

It’s on the road again this Saturday as Town travel to recently relegated FC United of Manchester with a 3pm kick off. 

Whitby Town: Bland, Wearmouth, Mills, Weledji, Bythway (c), Sukar, Rowe, Gell Fewster, Rutherford (Kitchen, 52), Dixon.

Subs not Used: Roper, McTiernan, Bullock, Dixon

Goals: Bythway 19’, Fewster (p) 78’.

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster (Potter, 76’), Walton, Sayer, Thackray, J. Henderson, Taylor, Hodgson, L. Henderson (Foalle, 46’), Reid (Harmison, 68’), Phillips (c).

Subs not Used: Turner, Mohammed. 

Goals: L. Henderson 45’. 

Attendance: 458

Man of the Match: Ben Sayer.