Stockton Town will host Guiseley in Tuesday’s Play-Off Semi-Final after Kev Hayes’ stunning goal gave them victory over Hyde United.
The Anchors, who were down to ten men after Adam Nicholson’s red card, leapfrogged Tuesday’s opponents after they were held at FC United of Manchester.
The task was simple for Stockton ahead of kick-off. Victory over Hyde coupled with dropped points for Guiseley would equal a home game in the Play-Off Semi-Final. There was a small risk that they could drop to fifth should they lose to Hyde and Ashton win in their game at Workington.
Michael Dunwell restored Stephen Thompson to the Starting Line-Up in place of Glen Butterworth in the only change from Easter Monday’s defeat at Hebburn Town.
Stockton Town started the game brightly, Thompson caught a volley nicely on the edge of the box but he sent it too high.
Then Callum Hiddlestone had to be sharp in the Hyde goal to deny Josh Scott from close range.
From the resulting corner, Tom Coulthard had a free header but he was unable to direct it on target.
Shortly after the quarter mark, Hyde had a glaring chance when Harry Showman was released on goal but he was denied by the feet of Nathan Harker.
Stockton went close again when Thompson’s cross narrowly missed the head of Scott, who was primed to head home.
Cam Painter showed ambition and drove forward before he unleashed a strike which dipped wide.
Lewis King burst forward from midfield but he saw his effort deflected over the crossbar when he went for goal.
At the end of the half, Stockton had their biggest chance of the game when a delightful clipped ball found Nicholson, who fired his volley over the crossbar.
Half-Time: Stockton Town 0-0 Hyde United.
Early in the second half, Stockton looked to take the initiative. Hayes cut inside and forced a save from Hiddlestone before the goalkeeper had to be equal to a half-volley from Nicholson.
With just over twenty minutes to go, the game took a downturn for the Anchors when Captain Nicholson was shown a straight red card for an apparent elbow on Brad Holmes.
Despite their setback, news of an FC United of Manchester equaliser against Guiseley buoyed the Anchors fans.
The decisive moment came when the ball broke to Hayes on the left, he spotted Hiddlestone off his line and struck a precise lob over him from almost halfway — a goal which sparked scenes in the stands.
Stockton held on for the final minutes as Hyde’s final chance from Showman’s bicycle kick fell wide of the target.
Full-Time: Stockton Town 1-0 Hyde United.
After the full-time whistle, the players remained on the pitch and there was a checking of phones to ensure FC United and Guiseley had ended in a draw to confirm the home Semi-Final. Once it was confirmed, the stadium was delirious.
Stockton Town: Harker, Baggs, Gallacher (Leech 86’), King, Nicholson, Coulthard, Hayes, Painter (Fowler 75’), Scott (Roberts 72’), Thompson (Butterworth 60’), John
Unused Subs: Johnson
Hyde United: Hiddlestone, Ditchfield, Thompson, Spooner, Baker, Amado, Showman, Jones-Griffiths, Holmes (Scanlon 76’), Redshaw, Fearnley (Sinfield 73’)
Unused Subs: Taylor
Goals: 1-0, 81 min, Hayes
Attendance: 868
Photo: Harry Cook
Words: James Cartwright
