Stockton Town were below par as they suffered a disappointing home defeat to Gainsborough Trinity.
Gainsborough took an early lead through Javelle Clarke but were pegged back by Josh Baggs’s first for the club.
Gainsborough restored their lead through Declan Howe at the end of the half, and he struck again late in the second half to all but seal three points.
Stockton had route back when Sisa Tuntulwana was sent off for pulling back Mikey Roberts. Coutlhard netted from the resulting freekick to pull back what proved to be a consolation.
The club were honouring Tom Coulthard who notched up his 500th appearance in the fixture. He joined his defensive partner Adam Nicholson as the second Anchor to join the 500 club.
Michael Dunwell named Owen Gallacher in the Starting XI in place of the absent Michael Sweet in the only change from last week’s draw against Bamber Bridge.
Stockton started the game on the front foot but were unable to take advantage of some early corners.
It was Gainsborough who dealt the first blow when a freekick from Joe Stacey eventually found former Brighouse forward Clarke who found a route past Harker for the opener.
Stockton had an excellent chance to level when Josh Scott was played through but lost the ball under his feet before he could apply the finish.
Stockton did find the equaliser when Baggs was found in the box, he guided the ball over Wharton and it couldn’t be kept by the Gainsborough defence.
Stockton were encouraged by their leveller and Hayes forced a save from Wharton with tight angle effort.
Dispiritingly the Anchors fell behind when a ball from the right was turned in excellent by the prolific Howe to restore Gainsborough’s lead.
Half Time: Stockton Town 1-2 Gainsborough Town
The second half began slowly as neither side could stamp their authority on the game.
Gainsborough had a huge chance shortly after the hour mark when a break forward ended with a Fraser Preston effort which was tipped onto the post by Harker.
Stockton struggled to craft a genuine to chance to equalise with a flicked header by Coulthard at Wharton they best they could conjure.
Gainsborough all but sealed the points when Howe was played in and he showed the necessary composure to take it beyond Harker before applying a decisive finish.
With hope waning, Stockton had flicker when Tuntulwana was given his marching orders for pulling back substitute Roberts. From the freekick the ball was played back to the man of the moment Coutlhard and his drive deflected past Wharton.
Nicholson spent the final few minutes in attack as Stockton searched for an equaliser but were unable to really trouble the visiting defence.
Full-Time: Stockton Town 2-3 Gainsborough Trinity
Stockton Town have a big chance to put things right on Wednesday night when they host Leek Town.
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Hayes (Spears 82′) Butterworth (Purewal 72′), Scott (Dryden 79′), Thompson (Leech 62′), Gallacher (Roberts 62′)
Unused Subs: None
Gainsborough Trinity: Wharton, Simpson, Jackson, Hornshaw, Lancaster, Tuntulwana, Durose (Helliwell 76′), Devine, Clarke (Cogill 85), Howe, Stacey (Preston 58′)
Unused Subs: Fishburn, Johnson
Goals: 0-1, 7 min, Clarke; 1-1, 33 min, Baggs; 1-2, 45 min, Howe; 1-3, 81 min, Howe; 2-3, 86 min, Coulthard
Attendance: 654
Photo: Harry Cook
Words: James Cartwright