A Trialist's accurate header on 42 minutes was the only goal of the game at the MAP Group UK Stadium, earning Lee Bullock and Nathan Haslam's men the victory ensuring that the Seasiders broke their recent hoodoo against the Anchors.

It was a sterling first-half's work from the Blues. They threatened through Priestley Griffiths and Lewis Hawkins, who seemed to be enjoying himself as he kept getting shots off towards the hosts' goal. Callum Roberts was certainly the busiest of the two goalkeepers, doing well under pressure from a string of Whitby corners.

Stockton, meanwhile, struggled to find their feet, but many of their problems were caused by the Seasiders, who looked livelier and hungrier across the park. The visitors squandered their only real opportunity of the half when Elliott Beddow was denied by a great save from Shane Bland.

They were made to pay for their miss just two minutes later. It was a terrific header from the Trialist and a fine efficient routine from the Seasiders. Griffiths, who had missed a couple of chances himself, whipped a good cross into the area that landed right on the head of the on-trial man. His header was right into the corner of the net, making it difficult for Roberts to keep the ball out of his net.

The second half began in a similar patter but gradually the Anchors grew into the contest.

With just under 25 minutes remaining, Liam Cooke played a dangerous ball across the face of the Whitby goal but no one in a yellow shirt was able to get onto the end of it.

Cam Painter then went close in the dying embers, forcing Bland into a superb save from close range. Barring that, it never looked likely that Bullock and Haslam's charges would relinquish their lead.