Norton enjoyed Boxing Day bragging rights with a 1-0 derby win at home to Billingham Town in Northern League Division Two as Stokesley made an astonishing fightback from three down to draw 3-3 at Thornaby.
Andy Campbell’s Ancients have developed a welcome habit of grinding out victories this season and added three more points to their promotion bid when Rocky Andrews’ 49th minute free kick went in off unlucky Town defender Ian Bishop.
Town pushed Daniel Ballantyne up front after conceding but he was unable to come up with an equaliser when he shot over in a one-on-one with former Boro keeper David Knight.
Stokesley are now only a point behind Billingham Town in the second tier table after making it three games unbeaten with an injury time equaliser in their gritty draw at top 10 Thornaby.
Phil Horsman and former Stokesley defender Matty Crossen scored in the first half to give Thornaby the upper hand, and an own goal shortly after the break left Stokesley with a mountain to climb.
Gez Richardson started the fightback when he turned the ball home after a scrappy corner, and it gathered further momentum when Richardson was put through and squared for substitute Sean Mackin to score Stokesley’s second.
Thornaby left-back Conna Jones was sent off for a second bookable offence with 20 minutes to go and Stokesley equalised two minutes into injury time when Matty Dunford’s shot beat home keeper Michael Duff.
Stokesley boss Nick Ward said: “To come back from 3-0 down felt like a win. The boys are buzzing.”
Billingham Synthonia are the only Teesside team in Northern League action today as they take on Jarrow Roofing at home (3pm).
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