Kev Hayes scored a second-half brace as Stockton Town continued their push for the play-offs with a 3-1 win against Pontefract Collieries.
Luke Hinsley rounded off a clinical counter attack inside the first two minutes of the game to give the visitors an early lead.
Stockton hit the crossbar three times in the second-half before Mikey Roberts drew the hosts level from the penalty spot.
Hayes scored his first of the game two minutes later and added a third for the Anchors eight minutes from time to secure the three points.
Manager Michael Dunwell made two changes from the side that beat Ossett United, with Lewis McDonald and Nathan Mulligan coming into the starting line-up ahead of Callum Roberts and Liam Cooke.
The visitors took the lead inside two minutes as a lightning-quick counter attack was rounded off by a thunderous finish from Hinsley.
Chances were few and far between during a first-half, where the visitors produced a solid display to frustrate the Anchors.
Stockton responded well after half-time, and hit the crossbar in the 55th minute when Lewis King’s cross was headed against the woodwork by Nicholson.
The bar came to Pontefract’s rescue twice more in the space of eight minutes, as Jamie Owens and Cooke were both left with their head in their hands.
The hosts did find an equaliser after the hour mark when M.Roberts calmly slotted home from the penalty spot – after Cooke was brought down in the area.
Two minutes later, a moment of sheer brilliance from Stockton’s Hayes put the hosts ahead after the winger curled delightfully across and into the top corner.
Hayes bagged his second of the game, eight minutes from time. The wide man skipped past three players and fired home, despite the best efforts of the defender on the line.
Stockton Town: McDonald, King, McWilliams, Portas, Nicholson, Coulthard, Hayes, Henry, Owens (Cooke, 60), N.Mulligan (A.Conway, 78), M.Roberts (Franks, 84)
Subs Not Used: D.Mulligan, Hall
Pontefract Collieries: Allinson, Brook (Smith, 67), Turner, Brown (Guilfoyle, 77), Shepherd, Clarke, Lazenby, Vann, Dunn, Hinsley, Morris (Collington, 77)
Subs Not Used: Rangel, Patrick
Goals: 0-1, 2 min, Hinsley; 1-1, 69 min, M.Roberts (Pen); 2-1, 71 min, Hayes; 3-1, 82 min, Hayes
Referee: Derric Wade
Assistants: David Fittes and Simon Williamson
Attendance: 662
Words: Andrew McDonnell
Photo: Harry Cook
