Marske United were well beaten by title-favourites Bishop Auckland on a bitter evening at the Vest Construction Stadium.

Liam Potter headed the hosts in front inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Craig Moody nettled a second half double to take the tally to three.

Marske were without talisman Charlie Watt for the trip to County Durham. The forward is due to undergo a scan following his injury on Saturday, and was replaced in the eleven by debutant James Sayer.

Unsurprisingly, it was the hosts who started on the front foot. Luke Williams first tested the gloves of Mike Algie, before Liam Potter nodded home to open the scoring.

Williams proved somewhat of a focal point for the Bishops. He drew another sprawling save from Algie with a vicious strike, before firing over the bar on a quick break.

Opportunities were limited for Marske. Danny Boyle slipped play through to James Sayer, who poked wide, whilst Kenzie Harker was brought to ground in the box, but booked for simulation.

Auckland continued to press when play restarted after the break. Craig Moody nodded wide, before Gary Martin and Vinnie Steels both called Mike Algie into action.

Moody notched the hosts’ second with quarter of an hour to play. His cross took a wicked deflection, leaving little chance for Algie at full extension.

Auckland added a third in the dying moments. Craig Moody again took the plaudits, though appeared offside from Gary Martin’s unselfish square ball.