UniBond League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 0 : Brigg Town 3
7 September, 2005
Team: Horrigan, Crossman, Mason, Bell, Hall, Coulthard, Damon Robson (Irvine 68mins), Salvin, Sheeran (McGuckin 75mins), Jardine, Newby
Bishops hit rock bottom after a promising start at a windy Brewery Field. Chris Mason rejoined Bishops on loan and James Crossman made his first start for some time as Brian Honour relegated Irvine, McGuckin and Ward to the bench.
The first half hour was a scrappy affair on a difficult bumpy pitch in a swirling wind. Jardine created the best chance on 17 minutes when he fed Newby who fired over the bar.
On 42 minutes the lively Newby, Sheeran and Jardine combined in a brilliant move which finished when Newby's close range shot was blocked by Brigg's keeper.
As half time approached, Coulthard hooked the ball against the face of the crossbar from a corner, and Bell's shot from the rebound flew just wide.
In injury time, Sheeran fed Jardine who fired over the bar with just the keeper to beat.
Disaster struck on 48 minutes when a punted Brigg clearance was misjudged by Horrigan, the ball bouncing over his head and Drayton headed into the empty net.
On 51 minutes Jardine created a chance for himself when he cut in from the left wing and curled a shot which beat the 'keeper but hit the foot of the far post. The rebound fell to Salvin whose fierce shot was blocked by the oversized custodian.
Bishops lost all hope when Brigg's Hope fired in a second from a rebound when Horrigan made a good save from a corner.
In the final seconds Horrigan badly sliced a clearance which flew up and goalward for Betts to tap in unchallenged.