Stockton Town put up a spirited display in defeat against runaway leaders Macclesfield.
Danny Elliott headed the Silkmen into the lead but Captain Adam Nicholson pulled the Anchors level.
Macclesfield restored their lead through D’Mani Mellor, and they had a cushion at halftime thanks to James Edmondson.
After a battling second half, Stockton eventually succumbed to a fourth when substitute Sean Etaluku tucked home.
Michael Dunwell was forced into one change from the win over Oldham Athletic. Michael Fowler came in for the injured Josh Scott.
Stockton started the game well and had an early chance when Stephen Thompson played in but his effort was saved by Max Dearnley.
Macclesfield then had their first chance when Mellor’s header on goal was excellently tipped over the bar.
The home side then had the opener when a cross from the right was headed in by Elliott.
The Anchors were back on terms when Glen Butterworth’s corner was helped by Nicholson via the aid of a deflection.
Just past the half hour mark, Macclesfield regained the lead when a sublime piece of quality from John Rooney saw him thread the ball through for Mellor who applied a composed finish.
Stockton had a decent opportunity to draw level again a few moments later but Fowler dragged his effort wide when the ball broke for him.
Macclesfield had a buffer when a corner was worked to Blackburn loanee Edmondson who saw his deflected strike fly past Harker.
But Stockton almost had the final say before the break but Kev Hayes was denied by a strong stop from Dearnley.
Half Time: Macclesfield 3-1 Stockton Town
Right at the beginning of the second half, Harker kept the Anchors in the game with two huge saves to deny Elliott.
After that, Stockton took the game to the home side. Hayes forced a good save from Dearnley to tip over.
Lewis King then drove forward and saw his long range effort deflect narrowly wide.
Stockton continued to put the pressure as Nicholson had a header which was comfortable for Dearnley.
Later in the half, King drove forward again and brought the best from Dearnley.
In the end, Macclesfield wrapped up the win when Etaluku profited on the mishap at the back and fired home.
Full Time: Macclesfield 4-1 Stockton Town
Macclesfield: Dearnley, Pemberton, Kengni (Lee 90+4), Rooney (Whitehead 74′), Mendy, Fensome, Johnson (Curran 56′), Edmondson, Mellor (Heatcote 90+4), Elliott (Etaluku 67′), Duffy
Unused Subs: None
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter (Leech 73′), Nicholson (Johnson 86′), Coutlhard, Sweet (Gallacher 67′), Butterworth, Fowler (Roberts 68′), Thompson, Hayes
Unused Subs: Stephenson
Goals: 1-0, 11 min, Elliott: 1-1, 22 min, Nicholson; 2-1, 32 min, Mellor; 3-1, 40 min, Edmondson; 4-1, 90 min, Etaluku
Attendance: 3007 (150 Stockton)
Photo: Harry Cook
Words: James Cartwright
