Nic Evangelinos’ second half goal condemned Stockton Town to defeat at the Giant Axe.
Lancaster made the perfect start when Dom Lawson gave them the lead inside five minutes but Stockton equalised close to half time when Michael Sweet headed in.
But it was Lancaster who took the points when Evangelinos netted the only goal of the second half.
Stockton came into the game on the back of defeat to Macclesfield on Saturday. Nathan Harker, Owen Gallacher and Michael Sweet all returned to the Starting XI.
Barely had the game time to settle when Lancaster opened the scoring. Captain Samuel Bailey got down the right and put a ball in which was turned home by Lawson inside the six-yard box.
Lancaster almost doubled their lead a few moments later when Evangelinos burst through but Harker just got enough on the ball to stop it squirming over the line.
Stockton found their composure and worked an opportunity when Cam Painter was found in the box but he had his effort tipped onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper.
Another chance went when Adam Nicholson headed wide from a Lewis King cross.
Harker then had to stay alert to keep out some Lancaster chances with some big saves.
Heading towards half time, Stockton got back on terms when a deep cross was headed across goal by Arjun Purewal into the path of Sweet who headed in.
Half Time: Lancaster City 1-1 Stockton Town
Stockton were not able to build on their end to the second half and close to the hour mark Lancaster got themselves back in front.
The ball broke fortunately for Evangelinos who unleashed a fine effort into the top corner much to the delight of Lancaster fans behind the goal.
Michael Dunwell rang the changes to respond with Michael Fowler and Elliott Beddow coming on for Lewis Leech and Owen Gallacher.
Stockton had a chance when the ball came out for Adam Nicholson who couldn’t direct it past McClenaghan.
There were more changes when Jacob Johnson, Mikey Roberts and Shane Henry came on for Sweet, Painter and Thompson.
Lancaster had plenty of opportunities to put the game to bed but Harker remained strong with a save from a low strike.
Stockton came closest with eight minutes still to go when Purewal had a header cleared off the line.
In the end, they couldn’t conjure up another equaliser and fell to defeat.
Full Time: Lancaster City 2-1 Stockton Town
Lancaster City: McGlenaghan, Bailey, Fleming, Allington, Beeden, Bryne, Hall (Kilfin 72’), Moonan, Lawson (Dagnall 72’), Bennett, Evangelinos (Mansell 80’)
Unused Subs: Lavelle, Bailey
Stockton Town: Harker, Purewal, Gallacher (Beddow 63’), Painter (Henry 72’), Nicholson, Coulthard, King, Butterworth, Sweet (Johnson 72’), Leech (Fowler 63’)
Unused Subs: N/A
Goals: 1-0, 3 min, Lawson; 1-1, 40 min, Sweet; 2-1, 57 min, Evangelinos
Attendance: 307
Words: James Cartwright
Photo: Harry Cook
