Stockton Town opened 2025 with three points at Whitby Town after a fine performance in the blistering winds.
Michael Sweet and Adam Nicholson scored the goals in similar fashion late in the second half.
Michael Dunwell named one change to the side that drew with Hebburn Town on Boxing Day, with Michael Fowler starting in place of the unavailable Mikey Roberts.
The Anchors started the game strongly against the wind, and had a big chance curtesy of Whitby defender Frankie Whelan who poked a Kev Hayes cross towards his goal, but Shane Bland reacted quickly to keep it out.
Nathan Harker was the next goalkeeper called into action, after spilling a long shot by Nathan Thomas, he reacted quickly to keep out the rebounded chance on two occasions.
Thomas had a brilliant chance to give the hosts the lead a few minutes before the break when he was picked out in acres of space inside the penalty area, but he dragged his left-footed effort wide of the target.
Half-time: Whitby Town 0-0 Stockton Town
After a quiet opening to the second half, Stockton started to create some positive pressure, and Michael Sweet went close to an opener in the 63rd minute after being played through over the top, but Bland reacted quickly to deny him.
Eight minutes later, Sweet provided the Anchors the lead after a perfect looped ball from Glen Butterworth allowed Stephen Thompson to shoot on goal, as it looked to trickle wide of Tyne target, Michael Sweet was on hand to tap in at the back post.
Minutes later, Whitby were reduced to 10-men when midfielder Adam Gell was shown a second yellow card for a foul on the halfway line.
That allowed the Anchors to add to their advantage, when wonderful footwork from Kev Hayes created space for a right-footed cross which picked out Adam Nicholson unmarked at the back post to tap in.
The game slowed down to close as the rain started to pour, and the Anchors secured all three points to celebrate the New Year.
Full-time: Whitby Town 0-2 Stockton Town
Stockton move up to 7th place with their 11th win of the campaign ahead of Saturday’s Isuzu FA Trophy trip to Rochdale.
Whitby Town: Bland, Smith, Collins, Gell, Whelan, Sukar, Haswell (Stephenson 59’), Hawkins, Walker, Watts, Thomas (Tymon 77’)
Unused Subs: Jackson, Thompson, Cranston
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter (Birtles 83’), Nicholson, Coulthard, Sweet (Gallacher 80’), Butterworth, Fowler, Thompson (Leech 74’), Hayes
Unused Subs: Purewal, Scott
Goals: Sweet, 0-1, 71 min; Nicholson, 0-2, 77 min
Attendance: 826
Words: Jordan Clarke
Photo: Harry Cook