Stockton Town’s league season ended in defeat at Sheffield FC.
Goals from Connor Cutts and Benni Ndlovu either side of a Nathan Mulligan penalty handed the home side the win.
It was a much changed Stockton Town team with Noah Godfrey and Harry Close handed their debuts. Captain Adam Nicholson made his return to the starting XI.
Tommy Hood later came on to replace Cameron Painter for his Stockton Town debut.
Close went close within the opening minute when he shot narrowly wide after cutting in from the right.
In the 10th minute, the Anchors had a penalty appeal turned when Peter Bulmer went down after going past a few defenders.
Shortly before the half hour mark, Sheffield took the lead when Connor Cutts poked home from close range.
Stockton almost answered back but Close was unable to guide Godfrey’s cross towards goal.
Basile Zottos was lively figure on the wing for Sheffield and he came close to adding to their when he jinked inside the box before his effort was well saved by Lewis McDonald.
Five minutes into the second half, Stockton had a route back into the game when they were awarded a penalty. N.Mulligan stepped up to give pull the Anchors level.
Although parity was only temporarily restored as Sheffield regained the lead when Ndlovu reacted first to convert a rebounded shot.
Ndlovu could have had a second later in the game but McDonald was sharp to foil him.
The game remained 2-1 as McDonald pulled off an impressive save with his fingertip.
Stockton Town now face a huge game in the Play-Off Semi-Final against Stocksbridge Park Steels at the MAP Group UK Stadium on Tuesday.
Sheffield FC:Â Pierrepont, Yates (Crofts 74), Coleman, Mitchell, Burns, Sikora, Brogan, Cutts (Aldrich 90), Newsham, Ndlovu, Zottos (Roney 89)
Unused Subs: Hall
Stockton Town:Â McDonald, Godfrey, Bulmer, N.Mulligan, Nicholson (D.Mulligan), Hall, Beddow, Painter (Hood 68), Close, Cooke, Roberts
Unused subs:Â Hayes, Butterworth, McWilliams
Goals: 1-0, 30 min, Cutts; 1-1, 52 min, N.Mulligan; 2-1, 55 min, Ndlovu
Attendance:Â 473
Words:Â James Cartwright
Photo:Â Harry Cooke
