Brad York scored the opener for the Hornets before Jarryd Johnson hit the back of the net for the away side.

A stunning strike from Ben Priest would be the winner as Priest chipped the keeper from almost halfway, in one of the biggest goals in the context of Cessnock's season.

The victory puts the Hornets on the cusp of the top four as they sit in fifth and tied with New Lambton on 19 points but below the Eagles on goal difference.

As for Cooks Hill, the result is the second loss on the bounce for the Cookers and while they still sit nine points above second place, they will be disappointed and will look to return to winning ways against Toronto Awaba next round.

The ladder is now extremely tight in and around the top four with three points separating fourth and seventh.

But the result for Cessnock will be a significant confidence boost in the race for the finals and showcases their superb turnaround after going down 5-0 to Cooks Hill earlier in the season.

Cessnock's fifth win of the campaign was also an excellent bounce-back from the Toronto defeat and Cessnock captain Greg Anderson said the success was a massive result for the Hornets moving into the business end of the year.

"It was a great feeling after last week's missed opportunity, we believed with the game plan we had in place that a result was there to be had with a nice, gritty team effort," Anderson said.

"We know work is still there to be done with teams around us having catch-ups, but the result definitely gives us a boost.

"Bit of an injury cloud over Jayden Ziernik with a knee injury, but that was it and it was a great turnaround from last week."

The loss is Cooks Hill's second in four days although assistant coach, Jarrod Gorsuch said they're upset with the result but still look to the positives.

"We built a healthy buffer with a ten-point gap, it's allowed for a few slip-ups, which hasn't been ideal but that's football," Gorsuch said.

"Credit to Cessnock and New Lambton the last week, it's been mentioned before, but the competition is getting better.

"We set such high expectations for the lads, obviously they'll be disappointed, but we know what it takes so hopefully we can get back to that winning form and continue on."

All other games were postponed due to wet weather.

Cessnock City Hornets 2 (Brad York, Ben Priest) def Cooks Hill United 1 (Jarryd Johnson)

Cessnock travel to take on West Wallsend on Sunday. West Wallsend won their round five encounter at Turner Park 2-1.