The Stan made their 1^st trip to Bishop Auckland since they visited in 1970 in the FA Amateur Cup and therefore only their 2^nd since 1952 when their 1^stNorthern League adventure ended. It was a trip to be forgotten though as the Stan were 2^nd best for most of the match. On a blustery night, the Stan made 3 changes from the Crook match 11 days previously with Mullen remaining in goal for the injured Smith.

Bishop started on the attack immediately and Mullen and had to catch the ball then soon after head it away. The Stan then countered but the swirling wind stopped the ball going out for a corner which allowed Bishop to advance and force another save from Mullen. In 5 minutes, Mullen had to make a close range save from a rebound and then the defence had to clear a good Bishop cross into the box.

In 11 minutes, a home player shot past a Stan defender and Mullen and a touch by another Stan player stopped an incoming home player from making contact and scoring. A minute later and Mullen made a great save with his feet. It was mainly Bishop so far who were quick on the break, rushing past Stan defenders, and they dealt well with the occasional Stan moves forward although often using sly shoves in the process.

In 14 minutes, with the 1^st from a corner, Mullen had to make 2 further saves. The predicted goal for Bishop came in the 16^th minute when an initial attack was blocked but the ball went back to Shaun Ryder outside the box who shot straight past Mullen. It was definitely not going to be a happy Wednesday for the Stan as 2 minutes later step on Shaun Ryder again who, after the Stan defence failed to clear, shot past them for 2-0.

Soon after Bishop keeper Pocklington was booked when, after running out of his box and putting the ball out of play, kicked it away further to stop the throw in being taken quickly. Mullen then had 2 make 2 more saves before the 1^st proper Stan attack in 23 minutes when Laidler eventually shot wide.

Bishop got 2 more corners due to Mullen failing to hold the ball from shots before the Stan countered in 32 minutes. Holland, near the corner flag, crossed the ball into the edge of the box for Imray but his header was caught by Pocklington. The Stan countered again soon after but Pocklington easily got to the ball.

In 40 minutes Hoggins attacked but Bishop then countered with pace but were blocked. Mullen made a save but it was the Stan who were attacking when the half time whistle went.

It was more windy as the 2^nd half started and it was business as usual for Bishop as they forced a save from Mullen in 49 minutes. Poor Stan passing resulted in Mullen having to make another save. The swirling wind was making play difficult for both teams and it seemed to blow Hoggins over the hoardings after he hit the side netting in 53 minutes. The Stan got 2 more attacks in but both were blocked and in between Bishop shot over the bar.

As the hour mark was reached, the Stan were having a period of sustained pressure but with no end product. Their efforts were helped even more when Turnbull and Jones entered play in 65 minutes as they both made a positive difference.

In 69 minutes, a Bishop free kick went wide but the resulting Stan counter attack was blocked. It was more end to end now but it was again Bishop who found the net in 76 minutes when Johnson shot through the Stan defence. 5 minutes later there was a great run by Jones who supplied Turnbull but his good low effort was saved by Pocklington.

With a minute to go, after a Bishop attack, Turnbull was eventually blocked which resulted in Deagle attempting a long shot which went high and over. Into injury time and Robertson shot just wide followed by McKenna heading just wide but it was too little too late as the Stan ended their cup involvement for another season.

It was never going to easy against division 1 opposition but now the Stan can concentrate on the promotion race starting at home against Durham on Saturday.

Stan: Mullen, Ray; Deagle; Middleton; Hall; Imray; Holland; Bailey (Jones 65); Robertson; Hoggins (McKenna 58); Laidler (Turnbull 65)

Subs Not Used: Wright; Tait

Attendance: 193

Kevin Mochrie