Grantham Town lost 4-0 to Stockton Town in the Northern Premier League Division One East League top versus near bottom clash

It was always going to be a challenge for Grantham Town as the team who is near the bottom of the Northern Premier League Division One East League welcomed league leaders Stockton Town.

Former Newark FC manager Steve Kirkham oversaw The Gingerbreads for the first time in a match that the hosts ended up losing 4-0.

The first half an hour saw Grantham Town rise to the occasion as they took it to The Anchors and the side performed well in front of a crowd of over 200.

In the 34th minute, Stockton were awarded a penalty after Mikey Roberts was cut down in the box.

The shot from the spot was converted by Kevin Hayes to put the visitors up 1-0.

Both sides went into the half-time break with The Anchors maintaining a 1-0 lead although at this point it had been a tight affair.

The second-half was a different matter as Stockon came into their own and demonstrated why they were leading the competition.

Glen Butterworth doubled the visitors total as he netted in the 52nd minute.

A third was added in the 68th minute thanks to a beautiful piece of play by Michael Fowler who thrashed one past Grantham United's — and former Belper United — goalkeeper Curtis Hall.

The Anchors' last goal came thanks to Hayes achieving his brace in the 70th minute to put his side up 4-0.

Despite a near miss before the end of the game for the visitors, the score stayed at 4-0 at The Meres.

"We were really pleased with how we played and how we got through the game," said Stockton Town assistant manager JD Briggs.

"It was really tough because of the conditions.

"It was really difficult to play football on that pitch.

"The pitch is narrow and the conditions were really tricky.

"The win makes us proud of how we are playing."