Newton Aycliffe left it late to beat Sunderland RCA in a dramatic encounter at Moore Lane Park.
Goals from Jamie Owens and Danny Lambert saw Allan Oliver’s men come from a goal down in the last 15 minutes to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign on their home ground.
It gave the Royal Blues supporters something to cheer on a day in which top goalscorer Danny Earl had left the club for Marske United.
New signings Gareth Young and Wayne Thwaites were handed their debuts in goal and in attack respectively.
But it was an Aycliffe old boy who stole the show in the first period as Gavin Barton slotted in an opener for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.
The Newtonians struggled to get any rhythm into their game and it wasn’t until the 65th minute that they created a serious opening; Danny Mellanby’s chipped through-ball releases Jamie Owens but the former Shildon man’s effort was desperately cleared off the line by Wayne Henderson.
But 10 minutes later the hosts were level. Martin Young’s header was cleared off the line by Barton but the midfielder regained possession and picked out Owens at the back post who nodded in from close range.
There was only likely to be one winner from then on. Lambert was denied by Peter Jameson, the visiting goalkeeper getting down brilliantly to turn a fierce drive away for a corner.
But there was no stopping the winger in the 85th minute. Lambert evaded two challenges with ease before unleashing a fizzing left-footed shot into the far corner.
It was a goal worthy of winning any game and it proved to be the clincher at Moore Lane, with the visitors unable to threaten a late leveller.
Oliver’s side have won three and draw two of their five home games in Division One this campaign and next host Consett on Saturday.
