NANTWICH TOWN 1, ASHTON UNITED 2
Ashton United held on to the first-half advantage to record their first road win since mid-September at Nantwich’s Swansway Stadium in front of a crowd of 266.
The victory leaves the mid-table Robins only five points off top spot in Northern Premier League, premier division and they would have been even nearer the top but for having three points deducted.
With Harry Coates on the bench, Matty Regan was restored to the captaincy and they could have hardly made a better start as Callum Saunders won an early corner which saw Cole Lonsdale’s delivery headed home by Sam Baird.
Just past the quarter hour a great inside pass by Ben Hough gave advancing full back Aidan Roxburgh a clear sight of goal with Tom Booth effecting the block.
After a hold up in play, Tom Warren’s resuming cross was headed wide by Saunders when well placed.
Shortly afterwards on loan striker Darius Osei got his second goal for the Robins steering accurately into the far corner from Tom Warren’s header.
At the other end, Jack Sherratt turned on to his left foot but shot straight at Greg Hartley.
On the restart, a great interception by Osei saw his cross from the by-line skied over his own bar by Jon Moran and Joe Robbins’ square ball saw Lonsdale advance and bring a tumbling save out of Booth.
With the hour mark approaching, Dan Cockerline got the better of Roxburgh on the left of the penalty area and after Matt Bell had brought a great save out of Hartley from the resulting cross substitute Ivan Urvantev fired home the rebound to bring the Dabbers back into the contest.
Cockerline then brought a low save out Hartley before a great run through midfield saw Ben Hardcastle tee up Saunders who hit a disappointing effort comfortably wide.
As the hosts increased the pressure, Myima Malumo’s shot was kicked away in front of goal and the temperature increased as Ashton substitute Mike Phenix picked up a booking following a clash with Urvantev.
With time running out, Max Harrop could have settled the matter but was denied by Booth and Cockerline’s header was squeezed out for a corner by Baird.
Ashton United: Hartley, Roxburgh, Lonsdale (Harrop 75), Baird, Regan, Hough (Coates 90), Hardcastle, Robbins, Osei, Saunders (Phenix 69), Warren. Subs (not used): Battersby, Scanlon.
Report: David Robinson.