Stockton Town picked up a massive three points with a slender victory over playoff rivals Gainsborough Trinity.
Jake Petitjean scored the games only game, two minutes into first-half stoppage time, poking home the ball from a few yards out.
Michael Dunwell named three changes to the side that was defeated last weekend, with Stephen Thompson, Ryan Barrett and Cameron Painter all returning to the side.
Thompson got a good connection with a strike from the half-way line which called David Robson into action early on.
All of the chances fell Stockton’s way for a majority of the first-half, but no goals were coming their way.
It took 36 minutes for Gainsborough to cause a problem for Stockton, when Frank Mulhern found a way in-behind the backline, but his pass across goal towards a wide open Sisi Tuntalwana was too weak, and intercepted by Adam Nicholson.
Two minutes into added time, Jake Petitjean put the Anchors in front after a scrap at the goalmouth, with Adam Nicholson having a shot or two blocked from a corner, allowing the ball to drop for Petitjean to prod home his ninth goal of the season.
Half-time: Stockton Town 1-0 Gainsborough Trinity
After a slow start to the second-half for both sides, there were two goals disallowed, first for Theo Williams who was in an offside position, then Josh Scott had his effort pulled back for an earlier foul from Amar Purewal.
Stockton continued to push for a second, and had four good opportunities within 10 minutes, the best of which seeing a spectacular ball by Ryan Barrett finding Josh Scott whose header bounced back off the post.
Kevin Hayes then had a great chance for a second, after being picked out behind the backline, and the goalkeeper way out of his box, but Robson got close enough to stop the eventual strike.
Gainsborough didn’t trouble Nathan Harker much in the final stages, Amar Purewal had the best chance in the late stages, rounding the goalkeeper but striking the post with his effort, but it was enough for Stockton to claim all three points, launching them up to third.
Full-time: Stockton Town 1-0 Gainsborough Trinity
Stockton now head to 2nd placed Hebburn Town on Monday, before returning home next Saturday to face Rushall Olympic.
