Stockton Town came from behind at the break to secure a huge win at high-flying Cleethorpes Town.
Billy Fewster’s first half strike gave the Owls the lead but Stockton came back in the second half to take the win through goals from Frank Nouble, Owen Gallacher and Kian Foreman.
Michael Dunwell named the same starting XI as the one which beat Quorn in midweek. However after Josh Scott pulled his hamstring in the warm-up, he was replaced by Nouble.
Cleethorpes really put it on Stockton in the opening exchanges but the Anchors rearguard remained strong. Josh Baggs blocked a Ben Grist effort off the line, and Adam Nicholson headed a dangerous cross behind.
Stockton began to see a bit more of the ball and thought they should have had a penalty when a close-range strike from Cam Painter was seemingly blocked by a Cleethorpes hand.
Moments later they came close again when an acrobatic attempt by Jake Petitjean was blocked on the line by Jamie Bramwell.
Another penalty shout from the Anchors was waved away when Nouble went down in the box. The referee pointed the other way and put Nouble into the book for simulation.
Cleethorpes took the lead when sustained pressure eventually led to the ball finding Fewster in the box and he produced an excellent composed finish beyond Reuben Egan.
Stockton quickly recomposed themselves and had chances to go into the break level. Baggs and Gallacher connected well on the right and the former saw his near post strike saved by Ollie Battersby.
Foreman drove forward in an attempt to get at Cleethorpes but his end product was an effort which was comfortable for Battersby.
Half-Time: Cleethorpes Town 1-0 Stockton Town
Stockton Town came out the traps with intent at the start of the second half. They forced an early corner which was turned in by Nouble after the Anchors kept it alive.
Just over twenty minutes later, Stockton went ahead when excellent work from Painter saw him stride forward with the ball, clip the ball to Nouble who dug out a cross which was headed in by Gallacher.
Cleethorpes had a golden chance to level the scores but Grist’s point-blank header was thwarted by a superb save from Egan.
Stockton had breathing room with six minutes remaining. Petitjean sent a crossfield ball to Foreman who took a great touch and advanced forward before he released an unstoppable strike beyond Battersby.
Cleethorpes came close to making stoppage time jittery but Josh Walker poked wide from close-range following a corner.
Full-Time: Cleethorpes Town 1-3 Stockton Town
Another away win in the bag for Stockton which moves them one place to 15th. Next up is the visit of Ilkeston Town next Saturday.
