WITHOUT six regulars, Town Ladies were always likely to struggle against a skilful Whitley Bay side and they ended up losing 3-2.

Whitley Bay took the lead after 15 minutes but Jo Atkinson and Kate Mallin both went close for Town.

Bay hit the bar and it wasn’t until four minutes after the restart they increased their lead from a free-kick.

Within a minute Town were back in the game when Atkinson’s long-range effort bounced over the keeper and into the net.

Unfortunately, the visitors were soon two down again, and while Dawn Kellett gave them another lifeline with a penalty, they couldn’t get level.

Town are at home to York City on Sunday (Welfare Ground, Emley, 2.00).

The Under 15s continued their good run with a 3-0 win over Nostell MW. Merita Prebresova, Emily Cook and Aleathia Smith netted.

The Under 13s beat Nostell 6-1, and that despite conceding the first goal.

Melissa Sutcliffe levelled, before Siobhan McCauley struck twice, Sutcliffe claimed her second and Rebecca Moore knocked in two goals.