Dan Bramall scored a brace to condemn Stockton to defeat at Worksop Town.
The mercurial winger netted either side of half time to put the Tigers in command.
Mikey Roberts scored on the stroke of full time which in the end proved to be a consolation.
Josh Scott made his return to the Starting XI for the Anchors, while Michael Sweet returned to the squad and was named on the bench.
Shortly after the quarter hour mark, Jordan Burrow came inches from giving Worksop the lead when he narrowly missed a low ball across the box.
Vaughan Redford then missed a gilt-edged opportunity when neat work saw the ball break to him in the box but he could only fire over.
A mistake from the Worskop backline almost handed Stockton the chance to take the lead but Scott’s pull back was cleared before it could reach Glen Butterworth.
As the game approached half time, Worksop opened the scoring when a quick throw-in found Alex Starcenko who threaded it through to Bramall who applied an emphatic finish.
Half Time: Worksop Town 1-0 Stockton
Worksop came out firing in the second half as the Latvian Starcenko rifled the woodwork with a rasping effort.
Immediately at the other end, Scott went in behind and whistled a shot past the far post.
Worksop doubled their lead when Starcenko hammered his shot against the post but Bramall was alive to tuck the ball home.
Michael Dunwell rang the changes to attempt to get back into the game. Michael Fowler and Stephen Thompson were replaced by Michael Sweet and Owen Gallacher.
Hayes then forced Tommy Taylor into his first real action of the game to turn the ball away at the near post.
Bramall continued to be the Anchors tormentor-in-chief as he waltzed through the defence before striking the post with a low shot.
The woodwork was struck again, this time by substitute Liam Hughes who glided one onto the post.
Stockton were handed a lifeline in the game when a cheap giveaway to Sweet saw him play the ball across to Roberts who made no mistake.
In the end, the Anchors were unable to conjure up any meaningful chances and ultimately fell to defeat.
Full Time: Worksop Town 2-1 Stockton Town
Worksop Town: Taylor, Atherton, Wilde, Leesley (Gratton 86’), Bencherif, Shiels, Starcenko, Redford (Wedgbury 72’), Burrow (Hughes 79’), Bramall, Hall (O’Malley 87’)
Unused Subs: Tomlinson
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs (Roberts 71’), Painter (Leech 66’), Nicholson, Coulthard, Fowler (Sweet 61’), Butterworth, Scott, Thompson (Gallacher 61’), Hayes
Unused Subs: Stephenson
Goals: 1-0, 42 min, Bramall; 2-0, 56 min, Bramall; 2-1, 90 min, Roberts
Attendance: 731
Photo: Harry Cook
Words: James Cartwright
