ASHTON UNITED 0, DUNSTON UTS 0
(Dunston won 3-1 on penalties)
An uninspiring afternoon at Hurst Cross saw Ashton United exit the Isuzu FA Trophy following a third qualifying round defeat to Dunston UTS.
Making their entrance in this season’s Trophy, the Robins bowed out after a penalty shootout which followed a goalless 90 minutes.
The North East side had the better of the early exchanges and two minutes in Richard Coulson hit Sado Djalo’s lay-off wide following a left wing move and shortly afterwards Coulson’s cross was dropped by keeper Greg Hartley with Sam Baird needing to clear off the line.
Cole Lonsdale then saw a free kick deflect out for a corner before he put a left-foot drive past the post and Djalo miskicked a good chance for Dunston after good approach play by Liam Thear.
Seven minutes before the break, the visitors won a corner which was nodded back to Jon Shaw whose header hit the crossbar with the home defence spectators.
Shortly after the interval Tom Warren won a corner from which Joe Robbins’ near-post effort was saved by Daniel Staples.
James Baillie then picked up an injury and was soon substituted by Sam Sheridan and Warren then had to concede a corner from a right-wing cross which saw Shaw heading Will Jenkins’ delivery just past the near post.
Just past the midway point of the half, Philip Turnbull’s short corner saw Jenkins’ effort cleared off the line by Ben Hough and Carl Finnigan’s effort was then blocked at the near post by Hartley from Michael Pearson’s cross.
With two minutes left, the deadlock was almost broken as Ben Hardcastle turned and then saw his low effort roll against the post from Michael Brewster’s set up.
The visitors prevailed in the shootout converting all three spot kicks to progress 3-1 as Brewster, Robbins and Kevin Spinelli were all unsuccessful for the hosts.
Ashton United: Hartley, Baillie (Sheridan 56), Lonsdale, Coates, Baird, Brewster, Hardcastle, Robbins, Saunders (Spinelli 74), Hough (Harrop 74), Warren. Subs (not used): Taylor, Regan.
Report: David Robinson.