Stockton Town were firmly second best as they went down meekly at Hebburn Town.
First half goals from Michael Turner and Leo Robinson proved crucial as the Hornets picked up a morale boosting victory.
Michael Dunwell restored Owen Gallacher, Kev Hayes and Glen Butterworth to the Starting XI in place of Arjun Purewal, Michael Sweet and Stephen Thompson.
Backed by a loud and proud Anchors’ faithful, Stockton looked to start the contest on the front foot.
Kev Hayes had a strike deflected into the hands of Dan Cameron following a good press to win the ball back.
Josh Scott then saw a dangerous effort well blocked as it headed across goal.
Tom Coulthard then headed wide after a patient build-up from Stockton.
Stockton were made to pay for their lack of a cutting edge when Hebburn opened the scoring. A fine delivery from Liam Noble was emphatically headed home by Turner.
Four minutes later, things got worse for Stockton when Hebburn doubled their lead. Paul Van Zandvliet burst forward and played across for Robinson, who tapped in.
Stockton were fortunate not to go into the break down by three. A swift counterattack by Hebburn saw them work the ball down the left hand side. Liam Murray played the ball across where it was narrowly missed by Amar Purewal and blazed wide by Robinson.
Half-Time: Hebburn Town 2-0 Stockton Town
In an attempt to find a way back into the game, Dunwell rang the changes and replaced Gallacher, Butterworth and Fenton John with Arj Purewal, Thompson and Sweet.
Stockton almost had a fortuitous route back into the game when Jack Donaghy put too much on a header back to Cameron but the goalkeeper was able to gather before it threatened the goal.
Scott finally found space in the box to have an effort but his shot went too high.
Jack Spears was brought on with just over 15 minutes to spark some life into the Stockton attack.
He showed some dazzling feet to twist past the Hebburn defence and went to ground but the referee was unmoved by the Stockton appeals.
The fact it wasn’t going to be the Anchors’ afternoon was exemplified in a few moments. Nicholson was denied by a superb save by Cameron who sprawled out a foot after the Anchors’ captain connected well with a cross from the right.
Scott then went close when he headed over from a few yards out.
A painful defeat for Stockton who now require the points against Hyde United to put pressure on Guiseley and at least secure a 4th-place finish.
Full-Time: Hebburn Town 2-0 Stockton Town
