Spennymoor Town secured their first victory since the beginning of December, edging past Buxton with a 2-1 win.
Early on, Corey McKeown fashioned the visitors’ first opportunity by threading Cameron Salkeld through on goal. With Joe Young off his line, Salkeld could only fire onto the roof of the net.
Moments later, the winger went close again after a defensive error forced Kieran Burton into a goal-line clearance to deny the opener.
Buxton responded at the other end when Luke Brennan was picked out at the back post, only to be denied from close range by Brad James.
By the 12th minute, James was again called into action, producing an outstretched-foot save to keep out another effort from Brennan.
The home side continued to threaten as captain Connor Kirby delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Johnny Johnston, whose header drifted narrowly over the bar.
However, it was Kirby himself who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, unleashing a long-range strike that flew into the bottom-left corner.
Buxton looked to build on their advantage shortly after, but Zac Gilsenan saw his effort clawed away by the Spennymoor goalkeeper.
Pressure continued as Connor Douglas drove forward and struck an effort that flashed just wide of the target.
The first caution of the afternoon followed when Sonny Sharples was booked for dragging Gilsenan back during a counter-attack.
Missed opportunities proved costly for Buxton as Salkeld fired home the equaliser in the 61st minute, converting from close range after a corner was cleared into his path by Young.
The turnaround was completed just two minutes later when another corner fell kindly, this time to Dan Jones, who made no mistake in firing Spennymoor into a 2-1 lead.
Late drama followed in the 84th minute as Tyler Hill was shown a red card for a late challenge on Sammy Robinson, who had only just returned to the pitch after treatment.
Deep into added time, Gilsenan had three chances to rescue a point for Buxton, but Brad James was equal to every effort. The final attempt was a volley tipped onto the crossbar with the shot destined for the top corner.
