Stockton Town were made to rue missed chances as they slipped to a rare home defeat against Ashton United.
Glen Butterworth opened the scoring in the second, and Stockton had a glut of chances to double their lead.
But Ashton scored through Darius Osei and James Hardy to steal the win.
Stockton came into the game on the back of a midweek Durham Challenge Cup exit to Shildon. Cam Painter, Adam Nicholson, Josh Scott and Stephen Thompson were restored to the Starting XI. Elliott Stephenson kept his place in goal as Nathan Harker remained out with a knock.
The Anchors started well as Kev Hayes provided a threat. First he had a low ball just out by Jordan Eastham, and then had a dipped effort which dropped wide.
Eastham then had to be alert to prevent Michael Sweet from close range.
Hayes went close again when he surged into the box and had a shot deflected over shortly after Scott had a penalty shout turned down.
Scott was next to go close when his header from a corner bounced off the bar.
Half Time: Stockton Town 0-0 Ashton United
Stockton made the breakthrough early in the second half when fine work on the right saw Scott cut the ball back to Butterworth who drilled home.
The lead should have been doubled moments later when exquisite footwork from Thompson saw him find Sweet but he was denied one-on-one by Eastham.
At the other end Stephenson to produced a top stop to deny Hardy after a well worked move from Ashton.
Stockton then got forward in flash with a quick breakaway which ended with Hayes curling the ball wide.
Stockton continued to put Ashton under the cosh as Scott had an effort which was comfortably saved.
After weathering the storm, Ashton pulled level when substitute Tom Denton flicked the ball into Osei who converted the equaliser.
In a matter of minutes the game was turned when Ashton worked the ball down the left and the ball was turned away by Stephenson but only into the path of Hardy who headed in.
Stockton pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find one. Their best chance came when the ball broke to Cam Painter in the box but his effort was easily saved by Eastham.
Full-Time: Stockton Town 1-2 Ashton United
Stockton Town: Stephenson, King (Fowler 85′), Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Sweet (Roberts 68′), Butterworth, Scott, Thompson, Hayes
