CURZON ASHTON 1, GLOUCESTER CITY 2
Curzon Ashton lost to a late Fabian Roberts goal as lowly Gloucester City triumphed at the Tameside Stadium.
It was a frustrating afternoon for mid-table Curzon who fell behind for the first time in the 88th minute as they had led from the sixth minute through Tom Peers.
And the loss came four days after Curzon were also beaten 2-1 at AFC Telford United with the two defeats effectively ending their hopes of a promotion play-off place.
City started the game the brightest of the two sides, but it was Curzon who struck first when Peers, signed for Curzon from Altrincham after a loan spell, latched onto the ball inside the box. His first shot was blocked but he made sure with his second effort.
The visitors had a great chance to equalise two minutes later after Curzon left back Matthew Challoner blocked a shot from Danny King.
Curzon’s Harry Flowers, always a threat from set pieces, got his head to a corner but the ball looped on to the roof of the net.
Connor Dimiao latched onto a low cross from Jordan Richards just inside City’s box, but his low shot was blocked.
The next real chance did not come until the 42nd minute after Alex Curran won a free kick after being pulled back. Craig Mahon delivered a great ball into the box which Flowers attacked along with goalkeeper Liam Armstrong with both colliding, and Flowers having to come off for treatment.
With three minutes of added time, City put pressure on to Curzon and forced a corner from which Oliver Hulbert miss-hit his shot.
The second half started with Curzon being the dominate team and in the 53rd minute Flowers’ header from a corner was clawed away by Armstrong.
As the second corner came in Curran, with time and space, hit a low drive from 12 yards which was cleared off the line.
City launched a rare attack with the ball falling to King at the back post but he was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Chris Renshaw.
The visitors equalised on the hour when Danny King fired through a crowd of players from a corner as Renshaw was finally beaten.
Following the equaliser, City looked the most likely side to go and win the game and after 71 minutes, they showed their intent when King struck the crossbar from outside the box.
Another good attack down Curzon’s left saw a cross come in by Louis Hall which was met by the unmarked Hulbert at the back post, but his header missed the target.
Curzon had a half chance from a corner in the 86th minute, but Connor Teale did not get enough power on to his header to beat Armstrong.
But two minutes later, City broke down the right and King put in a near post cross which was met by Roberts who with a deft flick, headed the ball past Renshaw at his near post.
Curzon were second best and City deserved the points, but more worrying is that they have now lost two on the bounce and will be looking to getting back to winnings ways on Saturday when they travel to Bradford Park Avenue.
Curzon Ashton: (4-4-2) Renshaw 6; Richards 5, Flowers 5, Teale 5, Challoner 5; Thomas 5, Mahon 5, Lussey 5 (Knowles 83) Dimiao 5 (Cooke 74 4); Curran 5 (Whitham 73 4), Peers 5; Subs not used; Waters, Hobson.
Goals: Peers (6) for Curzon Ashton. King (60), Roberts (88) for Gloucester City.
Attendance: 341.
Report: Dave Jones
Photos: Oli Biddle