Kev Hayes’ second half goal settled a heated affair against Play-Off rivals Ilkeston Town. 

Hayes struck the decisive goal close to the hour mark to steer the Anchors seven points clear of their Derbyshire opponents. 

The game ended in melee as both sides clashed at the full-time whistle. In the aftermath, Hayes and Kornell McDonald were sent off. 

It was a tremendous turn out of 1,135 from the Teesside public to back the region’s Premier Non-League club on Non-League day. 

Michael Dunwell named an unchanged Starting XI from the side which earned a vital win at Ashton United last Saturday. 

Ilkeston Town, managed by Ian Deakin who steered his Long Eaton side past the Anchors in the 2023 NPL East Division Play-Off Final named two players who starred in that final in Sam Parker and Captain Tom Marshall. 

There was also a place in the line-up for Jaden Charles who signed from Rushall Olympic since the sides last met in February. That night Stockton Town ran out 2-1 winners. 

The first half was typical of a cagey end of season match-up as both sides tried to get a sense of each other. 

Neither side really troubled their opponents’ goal until the final moments. Ilkeston forced a close range save from Nathan Harker, while Hayes struck over following a neat passage of play. 

Half-Time: Stockton Town 0-0 Ilkeston Town

Ilkeston had the second half’s first chance when Parker prodded just wide from a freekick into the box. 

Josh Baggs then set his sights with a long range effort which drifted wide. 

A glaring chance came when a corner was met by a free header from Arj Purewal but he couldn’t direct his header on target. 

Heading towards the hour mark, Hayes showed great footwork and kept his composure to convert past Yates at a diminishing angle. 

Ilkeston searched for a way back into the game but were unable to trouble the Stockton goal. 

In the end they were fortunate to end the game with the full cohort of players. Substitute Declan Erratt-Thompson was caught out on his own with Michael Fowler and he dragged the striker back. 

To the amazement of much of the healthy crowd, the referee displayed only a yellow card. 

As soon as the full-time whistle was blown, there was a commotion as the two benches ensued in skirmish. 

The aftermath saw a player each dismissed in Hayes for Stockton and McDonald for Ilkeston. 

Full-Time: Stockton Town 1-0 Ilkeston Town 

The Anchors, who are now up to 4th, face a trip to FC United of Manchester next Saturday. 

Stockton Town: Harker, Baggs, Purewal, King, Nicholson, Coulthard, Butterworth (John 74’), Painter, Scott (Fowler 83’), Sweet (Thomson 64’), Hayes (Gallacher 78’)

Unused Subs; Roberts

Ilkeston Town: Yates, Minkley, Charles (Hardwick 72’), Miekle (McDonald 73’), Marshall, Parker, Brandy (Essien 60’), Daniel, Kirby-Moore, Dixon, Stevens (Eratt-Thompson 60’)

Unused Subs: Wauchope 

Goals: 1-0, 59 min, Hayes

Attendance: 1,135 

Photo: Harry Cook

Words: James Cartwright