Stockton Town continued their dream start to their Northern Premier League Premier Division campaign with victory over Prescot Cables.
An own goal from Scott Wara and a volley from Stephen Thompson put Stockton in control.
But a goal back from Ben Elliott before half-time and a Matthew Devine goal just after hour mark drew Prescot Cables level.
Stockton restored the lead when Cam Painter netted what proved to the winner.
Michael Dunwell’s men came into the game following back-to-back victories over Leek Town and Guiseley. Striker Michael Sweet was in fine form with three goals in his opening two games.
Prescot had the game’s first opportunity when they sent a half-volley narrowly wide and Stockton replied with tame Sweet effort that was comfortable for Andre Mendes.
Despite not the best start, Stockton were handed the opener when Fiji international Wara had a calamity by diverting the ball beyond his own goalkeeper.
Prescot looked to immediately respond from the setback and forced Nathan Harker into a good save from a deflected low strike.
Stockton pressed home their advantage when a free kick was headed into the path of Thompson who scored a sublime volley. The forward had sent a warning volley just moments earlier.
The Cables would go into half time trailing by a single goal when a Ben Elliott completed a fine move with a classy finish. Elliott, prolific at Step 5, scored the Cables first goal back in Step 3 since 2009.
Half Time: Stockton Town 2-1 Prescot Cables
Prescot came out strong in the second half and scored an equaliser when a ball from right found Devine who tucked it in at the back post.
It would reasonable to assume Prescot would be the more likely to win it from that point but it was the Anchors who went in front. A long ball over the top went through to Painter who applied a measured finish for the winner.
Prescot did not keel over and accept defeat with one final push which ended in a strike from a corner going narrowly wide.
Full Time: Stockton Town 3-2 Prescot Cables
Following the result, Stockton Town are the early league leaders. An all North East affair awaits them on Tuesday night when they travel to Morpeth Town.
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Thompson (Johnson 54′), Butterworth, Sweet (Beddow 79′), Fowler (Roberts 67′), Gallacher
Unused Subs: Birtles, Spears
Prescot Cables: Mendes, Wara, Devine, Smith (Heath 70′), Digbeu, Newell (Cushion 78′), Carberry (Murphy 79′), Foley, Ndene, Elliott, Owens (Doyle 69′)
Unused Subs: None
Goals: 1-0, 13 min, Wara OG; 2-0, 30 min, Thompson; 2-1, 41 min, Elliott; 2-2, 63 min, Devine; 3-2, 73 min, Painter.
Attendance: 848
Words: James Cartwright
Photo: Harry Cook
