Stockton Town fell to their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 at Morpeth Town.
Michael Dunwell named two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Jacob Johnson from the get-go alongside Lewis Leech who returned to the XI.
The Anchors did manage to start the game brightly, having the opening couple of opportunities fall to them, but Tom Coulthard and Joshua Baggs were unable to convert two half-chances.
But it was the hosts who found the first goal in the 11th minute of the game, with former-Anchor loanee Sam Hodgson heading home a perfect cross from Luke James to open his account for the season.
Only four minutes later, the Highwaymen found a second when Nic Bollado forced home another cross from the right-wing, giving the Anchors an early mountain to climb.
Stockton nearly had one back a few minutes later when Michael Sweet picked out strike-partner Michael Fowler inside the box, but the latter put too much behind his volley and fired over.
Despite a few half-chances, and Nathan Harker being called into action a couple of times, a quiet closing to the first-half saw the hosts game a 2-0 lead into the interval.
Half-time: Morpeth Town 2-0 Stockton Town
The second half started in perfect fashion for Stockton, with a Lewis Leech corner finding its way through to Adam Nicholson who fired home with his left-foot from close range to half the deficit with 48 minutes on the clock.
Michael Sweet had a big chance only two minutes later after creating space inside the box, but his effort was blocked by the body of a flying Jeff Henderson.
In the 78th minute, Adam Nicholson was a hero at the other end of the pitch, when he threw himself in the way of a Sam Hodgson strike from mere yards away to keep the Anchors in the game.
But despite Stockton pushing forward for an equaliser, and a few long shots missing the target, the hosts defence held strong to hand the Anchors their first defeat of the campaign.
Full-time: Morpeth Town 2-1 Stockton Town
The attention now quickly turns to the weekend where Stockton travel to second placed Hyde United looking to bounce back to winning ways.
Morpeth Town: Langley, Evans, Robson, Dowling (Barlow 65’), Henderson, Buddle, John, Hickey, Hodgson, Bollado (Foalle 65’), James (King 90’)
Unused Subs: Steels, Wombwell
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs (Beddow 70’), Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Leech (Roberts 73’), Johnson (Henry 46’), Sweet, Fowler (Thompson 46’), Gallacher
Unused Subs: Purewal
Goals: Hodgson, 11 min, 1-0; Bollado, 15 min, 2-0; Nicholson, 48 min, 2-1.
Attendance: 504
Words: Jordan Clarke
Photo: Harry Cook
