Corby dropped to seventh in the Blue Square Bet North table as a strong Stalybridge Celtic side came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Steel Park.

Andy Hall scored early in the first half to give Corby the initial lead, but strikes from Connor Jennings and top scorer Phil Marsh ensured the visitors went home with all three points.

Despite playing a game midweek, Graham Drury’s outfit started the game sprightly and threatened Stalybridge’s goal straight from kick-off. Early attacking intent led to a free-kick on the edge of the Celts’ area, which Sam Ives bent around the right-hand post.

Stalybridge striker Phil Marsh then spurned a wonderful chance to put the visitors ahead in the 13^th minute, but his free header from six yards out flashed wide past Chris Mackenzie’s goal.

The travelling side were then made to rue that miss, as Andy Hall gave Corby the lead just one minute later. Matt Rhead crossed the ball to the edge of the box, where an unmarked Hall ran onto the ball and lashed it in the top left-hand corner.

Rhead could have doubled the advantage five minutes later, when Hall returned the favour and turned provider. His floated free kick was met by Rhead at the far post but the resulting header was weak and straight at Jan Budtz in the Stalybridge goal.

Connor Jennings’ effort proved more of a test for Chris Mackenzie, the Corby ‘keeper having to arch acrobatically to tip the ball over the bar in the 41^st minute after the striker’s attempted lob.

The Steelmen stopper could do nothing about the equalising goal four minutes later however, as Jennings’ curling effort from the edge of the box spun past him and into the top left-hand corner. Gifted with acres of space, all the Stalybridge striker had to do was pick his spot.

Neither side content with just a point, the second half began with chances for both outfits. Delroy Gordon did well to nip the ball off the boot of the waiting Callum Warburton in the 51^st minute, whilst Jordan Smith ballooned a twenty-yard effort over the bar after some good work from Sam Ives.

Captain Phil Gulliver should have regained Corby’s lead in the 54^th minute when Leon Hibbert’s knock-back found him unmarked five yards out. Unfortunately, like Rhead before him, Gulliver’s header was straight at Budtz and was easily caught.

Phil Marsh completed Stalybridge’s comeback four minutes later when he smashed home his twelfth goal of the season after Jennings slipped him the ball in the six yard box.

Corby went onto dominate possession for the rest of the second half but couldn’t make their supremacy count. Andy Hall came closest to snatching an equaliser with his drilled free kick in the 90^th minute, but his set-piece was saved well down to his left by Budtz.

By Kelly Cornwell

Corby: Mackenzie; Gordon, Gulliver, Malone, Spruce; Ives (sub McDonald, 57 mins), Hibbert (sub Ozmen, 72 mins), Towers, Hall; Rhead (sub G Smith, 72 mins), J Smith. Subs not used: Land, Farden.

Stalybridge: Budtz; Platt, Meynell, Lynch, McWilliams; Jennings, Rea, Wilkinson, Warburton (sub Hobson, 81 mins); Marsh, Brogan (sub Gnahoua, 85 mins). Subs not used: Bembo-Leta, Kay, Ryan.

Referee: Steven Plane

Goals: Hall (13 mins, 1-0), Jennings (45 mins, 1-1), Marsh (58 mins, 1-2).

Attendance: 532