An early goal for Jarrod Penfold put the Stags in the lead, and when Nick Roberts nicked two more just before half time it looked for all the world to be a simple three points for Toronto Awaba.

The home side had different plans however, and the introduction of Jamie Hadlow at half-time for Kahibah led to their first goal back in the game.

Read, Photos: Lady Hawks fall to Novas in grudge-match season opener

Although it was an own-goal, the free-kick chance turned into a foothold for Kahibah to get back into the fixture, and the door was blown wide open with a red card decision dropping the Stags to ten men, and the following penalty scored on the rebound by Tom Butzmann.

Kahibah’s German import struck again soon after, lashing on to a corner kick to level the score, and complete what seemed a momentous comeback for the home side.

There was one last turn to come however, as Toronto Awaba’s Josh Bruce found himself one-on-one with home ‘keeper Ben Corling, and the seventh goal of the match proved the winner for the travelling side.

Read, Photos: Hamilton reclaim first place with 13-0 masterclass

Elsewhere on the weekend, and upsets were on the menu for the League One, starting with the Singleton Strikers clinching a 1-0 win over Belmont Swansea United at home.

It was the first time in 11 years the Strikers have walked away from a clash with the Belswans as winners, and their narrow victory came off the back of a penalty – slotted away by Jae Dawes – and spadefuls of defence for the 90 minutes.

Both grand finalists struggled in the fourth round, as Cooks Hill fell to Thornton away from home, with the Redbacks spurred on by a Jye McKellar double.

It had been more than nine months since the Cookers had tasted defeat in the league and a number of factors, including a red-card for early goalscorer Alex Gillespie, an absent Graham Law from the sideline for the match, and a penalty for the Redbacks, all came together to see them leave with 0 points.

Thornton’s performance was strong off the back of those factors however, with Tallan Martin and Jake Millstead bagging two late goals to claim the lead. Daniel Yaxley also scored for Cooks Hill.

Read: Wests No.2 replace The Junction in Open Championship

New Lambton remain winless in 2018 thus far as they lost to West Wallsend, with a goal for Ryan Cole and two for Tye Jones securing the points for the visitors. Club captain Nick Pepper scored for the Eagles from a free kick.​

Cessnock drew against Wallsend at Turner Park, with Brad York scoring for the Hornets, while Ty Goldsmith continued his strong start to the season for Wallsend with a goal of his own. South Cardiff had the bye.

League One Table: Cooks Hill (9), Cessnock (8), Wallsend (8), Thornton (7), Singleton (5), South Cardiff (4), West Wallsend (4), Toronto Awaba (4), Belmont Swansea (3), Kahibah (3), New Lambton (0).