Saturday 28th March 2009 Ashton Athletic 1 Maine Road FC 1

Vodkat Premier Division
Saturday 28th March 2009
Ashton Athletic 1 Maine Road FC 1

Late strikes from both teams produced a share of the spoils at Brocstedes Park on Saturday, as both team keepers worked overtime to keep their opponents at bay.

Ashton started well, playing into the teeth of a strong wind, and Neil Davies forced the visiting keeper Andrew Jones into early action with a shot that was bound for the bottom corner before Jones’ timely intervention pushing the effort around the post in the 15th minute. Shortly afterwards a swift break from Richard Sharpe opened up the Maine Road defence before finding Mike Douglas who was brought down in the box by clumsy challenge but referee Davies was not convinced that it warranted a penalty.

Chris Lawton then tried a shot from 25 yards and with the keeper struggling to cover across his goal the effort slid agonizingly wide of the mark for Ashton. Moments later, a great low drive through a crowded penalty box from Mike Douglas was superbly saved again by Jones at full stretch.

In the 29th minute Maine Road also had a shout for a penalty as Liam Beckford went down in the box but referee quite rightly waved play on. Moments later the visitor’s best effort of the half, as Greg Hall got in between the Ashton defence and the advancing keeper Alan Fitzpatrick to head the ball against the foot of the post and away to safety.

The second half was mostly one way traffic as Ashton dominated territorially, with Maine Road playing on the counter attack, but doing so very effectively. A series of chances came thick and fast as Richard Sharpe’s downward header was saved at the foot of the post by Jones, then from a corner Jones turn a Chris Lawton header onto the post before the rebound was cleared. Simon Gallanders then produced a superb cross from the right that Jon Bathurst flicked wide with keeper Jones rooted to the spot.

After 53 minutes the visitors claimed for another penalty when Greg Hall fell to the ground but referee again rejected the calls. Steve Rothwell then volleyed inches over the bar from the edge of the box before another cross from Gallanders reached Sharpe whose low shot was again collected by the inspired Maine Road keeper.

A rapid break by Maine Road had the Ashton defence scrambling and a Luke Mack shot from the edge of the box was well blocked by Fitzpatrick who parry the ball against the post and then reacting quickly re-gathered bravely at the feet of the onrushing Hall.

Gallanders was in the thick of it again judging the flick from a long throw to perfection but his shot was pulled wide from 12 yards out, and three minutes later the same player shot wide again after a great cross from Sherlock was flicked on by Sharpe.

Ashton’s pressure was relentless and yet another corner almost produced a goal as Mike Burke header inches over the bar from 8 yards out. The visitor’s defence was creaking but holding out through sheer hard work and determination. Then just when all at the match were predicting a blank score line a speculative punt from Ashton keeper Fitzpatrick in the 89th minute picked out Jon Bathurst whose flick on reached Dave Sherlock who beat keeper Jones to the ball to toe poke the ball into the empty net.

Maine Road drove at the Ashton defence directly from the kick off, forcing an injury time corner . A superb delivery was met by Steve Mason who beat his marker and guided his bullet header into the top corner despite the best efforts of Neil Davies on the line, to snatch a point with a last gasp equaliser.

Ashton’s Reserves won the local derby against neighbours Ashton Town 3-1, with goals from Danny Taylor, Martin Rigby and a superb long range effort from Mark Court to maintain their push for a top four finish.

Next week the reserves entertain Cheadle Town FC in the quarter final of the Reserve Division cup on Tuesday 31st March, whilst on Wednesday 1st April the first team travel to Nelson FC for a league match, both games will kick off at 7.45pm.

On Saturday 4th April Atherton LR are the visitors to Brocstedes Park and the reserves travel to New Mills Reserves for a crucial top of the table clash.

END

Ashton leave the Gate open

Vodkat Premier Division
Saturday 21st March 2009
Ashton Athletic 0 - 1 Squires Gate

A smash and grab denied Ashton a third victory in a week as a strike from Squires Gate winger Dave Cram 9 minutes from time was enough to take all three points for the visitors.
On a lively Brocstedes Park pitch, and with a strong wind blowing down the field, Ashton were left regretting a handful missed chances throughout the game, failing to take advantage of long periods of dominance especially in the first half.
Ashton started on the front foot and after just 2 minutes Simon Gallanders threaded a ball through the Gate back line to Richard Sharpe and as the ball sat up nicely for Ashton’s recent signing the visiting keeper Andy Speight was lucky to see his attempted close-range lob fall comfortably into his hands, when anything like a composed effort could well have dictated the course of the game.
At the other end, Gate looked lively on the break, with Chris Bennett and Steve Hibbert both being denied by last-ditch tackles by a determined Ashton defence
Gate were forced into defending, with Sharpe and Sherlock both coming close for Ashton but with centre half Wayne Maden outstanding for the visitors Ashton could not force a breakthrough. Despite Ashton’s early dominance clear sights at goal were at a premium as Gate’s midfield worked overtime to support their under pressure defence.
Squires Gate had a penalty shout turned down towards the end of the half when Hibbert fought his way through and into the hosts' area, but off balance the big striker stumbled to the floor and the referee correctly waved play on. Then Gate had to resist another spell of concerted pressure, and although they were able to occasional break clear, their final ball, like their Ashton’s, was frequently misplaced.
The second half saw Gate come into the game more, exploiting the wind which was now in their favour. A long ball from Speight forced the Ashton keeper to fumble, and Cram was dispossessed in the act of firing into the empty net.
Midway through the half Ashton stepped up a gear, and Gate were again forced to defend desperately for quite a while. Si Gallanders, cutting in from the left could have played in Mike Douglas but took the responsibility to shoot from 20 yards, an effort that was sliced off target.
Gradually, Gate fought free of the shackles, and with 15 minutes left the decisive moment came on 81 minutes, when an uncharacteristic error of judgement from Mike Burke, allowing a long clearance to run beyond the Ashton back line, which proved costly. A well timed run from Dave Cram beat the offside wide on the left, and cutting inside the box Cram slotted the ball into the bottom corner from the angle.
Despite the setback Ashton poured men forward in search of an equaliser but committed defending denied the home side. Ashton’s best chance fell to Sharpe but a superb last ditch block from Tome Benfield prevented his keeper from having to deal with a Sharpe volley from 10 yards out.
Moments later, Cram had another chance to make the game safe when he latched onto Bennett's low cross, but the ball flashed the wrong side of the post. Gate were forced to endure a nail biting final few minutes, before the final whistle which saw them leapfrog over Ashton into 6th spot in the league table.
Ashton’s Reserves also suffered a setback against local rivals Wigan Robin Park, going down 3-1, a loss that brings a 13 match unbeaten run to an end.

Both teams are in action on Tuesday evening as the first team start their defence of the Atherton Charity cup with a first round tie at home to Breightmet United FC, 7.30pm KO. Meanwhile the Reserves travel to Bootle FC for a league match 7.45pm KO

Runcorn Linnets 1 Ashton Athletic 3

Tuesday 17th March 2009
VODKAT Premier Division
Runcorn Linnets 1 Ashton Athletic 3

Ashton posted a third win in four away matches on the bounce on Tuesday night with a terrific performance that also brought to an end Runcorn’s 9 match unbeaten run.

It was the home side that took the lead in the 4th minute as possession was lost in Ashton’s defensive third. A shot by Stuart Telfer could only be parried by keeper Andy Paxton allowing Matthew Rigby to steal in at the back post and slot the ball into an empty net.

Ashton responded as a through ball found Paul Prescott who attempted to chip the Runcorn keeper but Gavin King was up to the challenge and a finger tips save denied the Ashton striker. A minute later Paul Crewe burst clear for Runcorn and his powerful shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded kindly for Paxton.

The pace of the game was fast and furious with both sides slugging it out to gain the initiative. After 31 minutes a superb break down the Ashton left by Joe Fielding allowed Steve Rothwell to cross for Paul Prescott who beat his marker but could only head directly at king who saved with some ease.

Ashton continued to press forward and got their reward in the 33rd minute as a great through ball from Neil Davies reached Joe Fielding whose early shot looped over King and into the net for a deserved equaliser.

The second half continued at pace and Dave Sherlock almost put Ashton ahead with a volley from 8 yards out, latching on to a great cross from Steve Rothwell. Runcorn also had some half chances to take the lead with the lively Paul Crewe at the point of most advances by the home side.

After a period of sustained pressure Ashton finally got the break through as Mike Douglas was put in by Dave Sherlock only to have his progress halted by a clumsy challenge from Scott Dignan, giving referee Jones no option but to point to the spot. Paul Prescott stepped up and made no mistake with the penalty.

With tails up Ashton continued to press for more goals and a terrific passing move got substitute Gareth Peet free on the edge of the box and his first time shot nestled into the top corner of the goal to put the game beyond the home side after 80 minutes.

Ashton came close to making it four as another passing interchange released Mike Douglas and his effort from 18 yards out rattled the cross bar and was gathered by a relieved Runcorn keeper.

Another top draw performance from Ashton lifts them into 6th position in the league and sets things up nicely for the home match against 7th placed Squires Gate on Saturday 21st March 3pm KO.

Fielding double grabs the points for Ashton

Saturday 14th March 2009
VODKAT Premier Division
Winsford United 1 Ashton Athletic 2

Two goals in two minutes from Joe Fielding in the latter stages of the game grabbed the points for Ashton, after a Dave Barnes strike midway through the second half had given the home side the lead.

A dour first half, influenced heavily by an uneven playing surface and strong winds made it difficult for both sides to settle and first half chances were few and far between.

Ashton’s best effort came from good build up play down the left wing with a Dave Sherlock cross finding Neil Davies free beyond the far post and his first time strike crashed against the crossbar and was subsequently cleared.

Winsford looked most dangerous on set pieces in the first half with the Ashton defence coping well with their best efforts in open play but at half time neither team could break the deadlock

Three Minutes into the second half a needless free kick was conceded by Ashton on the left win. The miscued set piece deceived several would be Ashton defenders to reach Dave Barnes who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from 6 yards out.

Ashton responded with greater urgency all over the field and the higher tempo put the home side firmly on the back foot. A tactical switch and the introduction of Mike Douglas brought instant reward as a great cross from the right by Simon Gallanders reached Joe Fielding stealing in at the back post to score from close range in the 73rd minute.

Straight from the restart Ashton regained possession and poured forward and within a minute had taken the lead as a Neil Davies shot from the edge of the box bounced in front of Winsford keeper Jamie Mottershead who fumbled his save and the rebound fell kindly to Fielding who slotted home Ashton’s second.

The Ashton defence held firm, and if anything the visitors looked the more likely team to increase their tally. With another three points secured on their travels Ashton maintained their 7th league position and the result causes Winsford to glance over their shoulders towards the relegation dog fight which they are slowly and surely being dragged into.

On Tuesday night Ashton will play their fifth away match in a row when they travel to face Runcorn Linnets at their temporary home of Wincham Park, Witton Albion’s ground in Northwich

The Reserves won again, with a goal Mike Rhead and a brace from Daley Woods enough to overcome Cheadle Town in a 3-1 victory that strengthens the teams position in the League runners up spot. Howver the winning run of four matches must continue as several teams have games in hand below them. Next Saturday 21st March the reserves travel to Wigan Robin Park Reserves for a local derby match at the Robin Park Arena, 3pm KO

Ashton Athletic edged out by Rovers in local Derby

Tuesday 10th March
Vodkat Premier Division
Atherton Laburnum Rovers 2 Ashton Athletic 1

Ashton came down to earth with a bump at Atherton LR on Tuesday night after their tremendous performance and win at Squires Gate on Saturday. With both sides affected by injury, suspension and unavailability Atherton kicked off playing towards the railway end.
Within two minutes Athletic Gareth Peet made a good run down the left and crossed the ball to Steve Bennett, but he failed to connect cleanly with the ball and the attack broke down.
On six minutes having had the better of the early exchanges the visitors opened the scoring when a cross from the right found Mike Douglas who from 12 yards out volleyed a Neil Davies cross into the top corner of the LR nets.
After fourteen minutes at the other end Kane Bentley penetrated the visitor’s territory, but a well timed tackle by an Ashton defender in the 18 yard box deprived the Atherton player of setting up his shot.
Just before the half hour a skilful interchange between Dempsey and Daniel Smith on the left resulted in the ball finding Phil Howard and his powerful left footed effort just cleared the Ashton bar, an early warning that went unheeded by the Ashton back line.
LR had clawed their way back into the game and pressed Ashton back, whilst Ashton were struggling to rediscover the form of the early exchanges.
In the 31st minute Atherton were back on level terms when a second left footed drive by Phil Howard from just outside the penalty area this time hit the back of the Ashton goal with keeper Joe Brobbin well beaten by the ferocity of the shot.
Ashton finally managed to get back into the game, and striker Sam Parkinson was very unlucky to be called back for off side on more than one occasion by a dubious linesman’s flag when clean through on goal

Half Time Atherton Laburnum Rovers 1 Ashton Athletic 1
The second half was an even affair with missed chances by both sides the order of the day, and ultimately Ashton’s failure to capitalise on a number of golden opportunities, compared to LR’s one clinical finish proved the difference between the sides on the night.
LR could have taken the lead on fifty minutes when Bullough again worked his way into the oppositions penalty area and from the bye line crossed to an unmarked Daniel Smith who from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy skied his shot well over the bar.
On 59minutes, following an Ashton free kick which was only half cleared by the LR defence, the ball came out to Neil Davies but his shot was placed over the Rovers bar.
On sixty four minutes a long throw on the left touch line near the corner flag wasn’t cleared by the LR defence and a goal mouth scramble resulted in the ball being put out for a corner.
With 66 minutes on the clock Atherton got the breakthrough as Jonathan Bullough was played in down the right and his cross found Daniel Smith stealing in between two defenders to this time make no mistake in hitting the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the visitors net.
A minute later Ashton’s Neil Davies was cautioned for a foul. On 70 minutes another Ashton attack had to be defused by LR, conceding a corner.
It was now all Ashton with LR having to play on the counter attack and a good run by substitute Paul Jones into Ashton territory resulted in a cross to Phil Howard but his shot went well wide of the mark.
With ten minutes of normal time remaining Athletic were pressing hard for the equaliser and from a corner on the left the ball went into the 10 yard box and following a goal mouth scramble the home defence had to concede another corner this time on the right.
The LR substitute Chris Lowe got his first taste of the ball when he was called upon to clear away the corner cross. The Rovers defence were now coming under constant pressure from the Athletic attack and on eighty three minutes Ashton were awarded a free kick near the right corner flag but LR managed to clear the ball away after another goal mouth scramble.
With four minutes of normal time remaining skipper Ross McNair committed a foul on the lively Sam Parkinson in the penalty area and was instantly red carded with the referee awarding Ashton a penalty.
The spot kick was taken by Neil Davies but hit shot hit the left hand post and was put out for a corner by an Atherton defender. Two minutes into time added on the Atherton keeper Andy Hewitt pulled off a one handed match winning save from a Mike Douglas effort and the Rovers defence cleared the danger.

Full Time Atherton Laburnum Rovers 2 Ashton Athletic 1

A frustrating night’s work for Ashton and although never reaching the quality of performance displayed on Saturday showed enough determination throughout the game, and especially in the last 15 minutes to suggest that the team will bounce back, hopefully starting this Saturday with a trip away to Winsford United for a 3pm Kick off.

Ashton break down the Gate

Vodkat League Premier Division
Saturday 7th March 2009
SQUIRES GATE 0 ASHTON ATHLETIC 1

A goal from Ashton Athletic’s Paul Prescott 17 minutes from time inflicted on Squires Gate’s their first home defeat of 2009 on a blustery afternoon. An eventful game saw the visitors miss a first half penalty, and then after the break Gate’s Tom Bartlett and skipper Nigel Taylor were both red carded either side of Prescott’s winning strike.

Ashton were out of the blocks from the first whistle with direct play putting the home side on the back foot. Sam Parkinson, making his first start for Ashton, burst through the heart of the Gate defence before having his heels clipped from behind as he advanced towards goal, unseen by the officials.

The wind then almost came to the assistance of the home side when in the 20th minute Gate’s Tom Benfield swung a high cross into the box from the right wing, which caught the breeze and evaded the outstretched hand of Ashton keeper Joe Brobbin and rebounded off the crossbar.

Three minutes later the visitors spurned a great chance to take the lead when Gate’s Kevan Ford dragged down the lively Sam Parkinson inside the box, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Parkinson took the kick himself but his effort was well saved by the outstretched foot of Gate keeper Andy Speight.

A break down the right got debutant Adam Hallam free and his cross reached Dave Sherlock whose driven shot arrowed towards the bottom corner but with keeper Speight rooted defender Benfield blocked the effort.

Gate’s best chance of the first half arrived on the half hour, when Matty Muscroft cut inside from the left flank and fired in a shot that Ashton keeper Brobbin fumbled and then scrambled away to safety.

A few minutes later a fine sweeping move from by Ashton ended with Gate keeper Andy Speight diving full length to push a Joe Evans shot round the post.

Both sides spurned excellent goal scoring opportunities in the opening moments of the second half.

Gate’s Chris Bennett collected a pass on the edge of the box, but with time and space available he scuffed his shot and the ball trundled harmlessly into the keeper’s arms.

At the other end, Athletic’s Dave Sherlock missed an even better chance, volleying over the top from six yards with the goal at his mercy, after another great cross from Adam Hallam.

12 minutes into the second half, Gate were reduced to 10 men when Tom Bartlett was shown a straight red card for man handling Ashton’s Paul Prescott as he homed in on goal. From the resultant free kick a yard outside the box Chris Lawton’s effort beat the wall but was gathered by Speight.

Prescott was in action again at the midway point in the half, when he collected a mishit goal kick from Gate keeper Speight and rifled in a cracking 25 yard effort that the keeper did well to push away for a corner.


But with 17 minutes remaining, Prescott finally broke the deadlock grabbing his 7th goal in 9 games when he finished off a terrific passing move by side footing home Sam Parkinson’s low cross into the six yard box.

Gate pushed forward, and Ashton keeper Brobbin was called into action to make a superb double save, pushing out a Dave Cram cross shot before saving Paul Ryan’s follow up effort.

With four minutes left, Gate’s misery was completed when skipper Nigel Taylor was shown a red card for his reaction to a challenge by Ashton’s Steve Wallace.

Ashton coasted home in the dyeing minutes against Gate’s reduced compliment securing all 3 points, consolidating the team 7th place in the league, and puts them within striking distance of today’s opponents who are just one place above them.

(Alternative report from Blackpool newspaper can be found on following link - Roth will be chuffed with reporters's observation!!! - but fairly purrs at the quality of the Goal) http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Pair-see-red-as-Gate.5051262.jp

The next fixtures come up quickly as Ashton again travel away, this time it will be to Atherton Laburnum Rovers on Tuesday 10th March 7.45pm kick off, and then on Saturday 14th March will visit Winsford United for a 3pm KO.

Ashton’s Reserve team demolished Colne Reserves 7-2 in the Reserve League Cup with a hat trick from Kev Kynaston on his return from suspension, a brace from Simon Gallanders and one apiece for Phil Williams and Joe Fielding. The team now face Cheadle FC Reserves next Saturday at home, 3pm KO.

Haydock U-17's 2 Ashton Athletic U-17's 1

A local derby away to Haydock is always a tough match and today was no different. With all the teams around the top of the league taking points from each other this was our big chance to go 2nd and keep the pressure on the leaders Appley Bridge.
After explaining to the lads why this match was so important the Managers felt confident of a good result.
Within 5 minutes of the kick off though Ashton were 1-0 down, the 2 Haydock strikers combined well and when the ball got put in the box Ashton were to slow to react and the ball was in the net.
The amount of time spent in training and before matches telling the players, to start better, to react quicker and concentrate for 90 minutes doesn’t seem to be sinking in, for large parts of the 1st half Ashton looked lethargic. The lads didn’t work hard as a team and failed to get the ball down and play the quality of football they are capable off.
Haydock then scored again when the defence switched off from marking duties and the Haydock striker turned and hit a good shot into the top corner. 2-0
With half time approaching Ashton finally woke up and created a couple of good chances, Adam Brown and Jake Leyland combined very well but the Haydock keeper made a great save. H/T 2-0
Ashton started the 2nd half by playing in a 3-4-3 formation, with the wind at their backs and had Haydock on the back foot, creating chance after chance but with a mix of bad finishing and lucky bounces for the Haydock defence the breakthrough eluded the visitors.
The introduction of Josh Taffe who was on the bench due to slight injury made Ashton look more dangerous. After good work from Brown and Taffe the ball was put through to Tom Starr who rifled the ball into the bottom corner 2-1.
With time running out Ashton through more players forward whilst Haydock were aleays dangerous on the counter attack, but with Ant Burns in top form he made two crucial saves to keep them at bay.
minutes before the final whistle Ashton had another chance to equalise but it was not going to be their day, and failed to recover from the mistakes in the 1st half denting the team's League aspirations.

All the hard work we have put in throughout the season is slowly being thrown away, we are still in the quarter finals of the cup, and we can still win all our remaining league games, but only if we start listening to instructions and concentrating for 90 minutes.

REVISED FIXTURES 05.03.2009

LATEST UPDATE AS FOLLOWS Sat 3pm Ko and Midweek 7.45pm unless stated:-


Sat 07-Mar Squires Gate A
Tue 10-Mar Atherton LR A
Sat 14-Mar Winsford A
Tue 17-Mar Runcorn Linnets A
Sat 21-Mar Squires Gate H
Tue 24-Mar Breightmet H Atherton Charity Cup 7.30pm Ko tbc
Sat 28-Mar Maine Rd H
Tue 01-Apr Nelson A
Sat 04-Apr Atherton LR H
Mon 06-Apr Standish St W H Wigan Cup Qtr Final 7.30pm Ko TBC
Tue 07-Apr Silsden AFC H
Sat 11-Apr Atherton Colls H
Mon 13-Apr Silsden A
Sat 18-Apr Colne A
Sat 25-Apr Alsager H
Sat 02-May New Mills A


RESERVES

sat 28-Feb Daisy Hill H
sat 07-Mar Colne H CUP
sat 14-Mar Cheadle Twn H
Sat 21-Mar wigan Robin Park A

ASHTON RUE MISSED CHANCES

Vodkat League Premier Division
Saturday 28th February 2009
Abbey Hey 1 Ashton Athletic 0


Ashton fielded an unchanged side following the midweek win against Ramsbottom United and although the team failed to reach the same standards of play, there were enough chances created to take all three points in this scrappy league match.

As early as the 6th minute a Dave Sherlock effort at close range from an Ashton corner struck the post and was cleared to safety. Then against the run of play an innocuous free kick was awarded to Abbey Hey 30 yards out. The dead ball was driven into the top corner by Ashley Brown as Ashton keeper Joe Brobbin struggled to make ground across his goal, and the strike gave Abbey the lead.

Ashton responded with a period of higher tempo play and with it increased the pressure on the home defence. The usually deadly Paul Prescott broke through in the 23rd minute but one on one Abbey keeper Rob Jones blocked his effort with his feet. 5 minutes later Prescott broke through again but just as he was about to square to the supporting Neil Davies for a tap in the ball kicked up of the uneven surface, resulting in a way ward pass which the recovering defence cleared.

In the 32nd minute Mike Douglas hit a shot from 25yards which Jones tipped over the bar at full stretch and from the resulting corner the writing definitely seemed on the wall for Ashton as two efforts were blocked on the line as first Gareth Peet and then Dave Sherlock were denied by last ditch defending. Sherlock was foiled again with a powerful shot that keeper Jones again turned away two minutes later.

The second half was a dour affair as Abbey battened down the hatches content to play on the counter attack, as Ashton attempted to break down a stubborn defence superbly marshalled by man of the match Aaron Edwards and skipper Keith Wedge. Abbey forced a free kick after 55 minutes and as Joe Brobbin misjudged the line of the ball but fortunately for Ashton the Abbey striker headed over the bar.

Ashton’s lack of good luck in attack continued however as a deep cross by Steve Rothwell found Prescott but his solid header struck the post and was cleared by a relieved Abbey defence.

From 25 yards a powerful free kick by half time Substitute Sam Parkinson was well covered by the Abbey keeper before Ashton did get the ball in the back of the net in the 75th minute courtesy of a 12 yard Chris Lawton volley after latching onto a ball dropped by the keeper in a crowded penalty area. However referee Kaye spoiled his otherwise faultless display by disallowing the effort, adjudging that Paul Prescott had fouled keeper Jones despite the fact that it had been the goalkeeper that had barged into the back of Prescott in an attempt to catch the ball.

Abbey almost increased the lead as Ashton committed more men forward as a fast counter attack mounted by substitute Heffernan caught Ashton short on numbers and his square ball to Danny Doherty should have been converted but his miscued shot went wide.

Ashton still poured forward but the lack of fortune going forward was again in evidence in the dyeing moments as a Lawton blast from the edge of the box skimmed off the top of the bar to deny the visitors a share of the points.

Despite the setback Ashton hold on to the 7th league place and now travel to Nelson FC on Wednesday 4th Macrh for a 7.45pm KO and then a trip to Blackpool on Saturday to face Squires Gate FC.

Ashton’s Reserves were again on form, as a second half 4-0 rout of Daisy Hill moved the team into second place in the Vodkat Reserve Division. Ashton goals were courtesy of Tom Potter and a superb hat trick by Joe Fielding. Next Saturday the Reserves will be at home to Colne FC in the League Cup second Round 3pm KO.