Stockton Town picked up their first point of the 2026/27 NPL campaign with a 1-1 draw against Leek Town.
Josh Scott got off the mark in the 12th minute, but a great strike from Adam Porter levelled the game up just before the break.
Frank Nouble got the start up top as Paul Rooney and Owen Gallacher were both named on the bench.
After a quiet opening to the game, the referee pointed to the spot after Layton Watts was tripped after receiving a smart ball from Josh Scott.
Scott stepped up in Kevin Hayes’ absence and slotted home past Dino Visser to open his and Stockton’s account this season.
Cameron Painter very nearly found a second with a curling effort from the edge of the area, and Tom Coulthard forced a save out of Visser with a header from close range.
Hayden Campbell caused the Anchors some problems throughout the half, and went close with an effort of his own but didn’t call Nathan Harker into action.
But a moment of magic from Adam Porter levelled the scores up as he found the bottom corner from outside the area.
Leek nearly had a second in added-time through Jack Griffiths after a weak pass-back from Aaron Brown, but Griffiths was denied by the leg of Nathan Harker crucially.
Half-time: Stockton Town 1-1 Leek Town
Frank Nouble was gifted a chance early in the first half, but his tight effort was stopped by Visser in goal.
Leek were reduced to 10-men when substitute Alex Hurst was adjudged to have shown reckless actions in a late tackle on Tom Coulthard, and Stockton had a man advantage for the final 20 minutes.
The biggest chance of the second-half came through Stephen Thompson, who unleashed a left-footed half-volley which struck the crossbar from outside the area.
Full-time: Stockton Town 1-1 Leek Town
Stockton now head to Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday, still searching for their first win in the new season.
