ASHTON UNITED 1, BRIGHOUSE TOWN 1
(Ashton won 5-4 on penalties).
An uninspiring Isuzu FA Trophy, third qualifying round tie at Hurst Cross needed to be decided on penalties after Ashton United and Brighouse Town shared a goal apiece.
Ashton showed multiple changes from the victory over Morpeth and the action got under way on a bright, sunny day with the hosts attacking the Lees Road end.
Louis Potts provided a sharp turn before dragging his effort wide from distance and Will Calligan then found space en route to the edge of the area but fired too high.
George Milner headed Luke Burke’s deflected cross over the top and an Andreas Bianga free kick led to Keilen Adams’ header being kicked clear before the striker missed a better chance sliding his shot across the goalmouth after Harry Garman had spilled Cole Lonsdale’s through ball.
Adams went on to be booked for catching Garman late which was to have a significance later and approaching the interval Dan Cowan just missed a far post header following Potts’ long throw-in.
Seven minutes after the break the visitors came closest as Jack Normanton’s volleyed cross saw Mohammad Qasim denied close in by a combination of goalkeeper Luke Simpson and Sean Newton with the ball eventually cleared away from the goal line.
The breakthrough arrived just before the hour as Qasim slid the ball past Simpson after Matthew Nebard’s long ball from the back was not cleared.
The Robins were level seven minutes later as Cowan headed a near post corner in for the equaliser.
Brighouse substitute Myron Gibbons’ run from midfield evaded several defenders before he poked his effort wide.
WIth one minute remaining, Adams got the better of the last defender with a clear run on goal needing Garman to effect the block but in the follow up referee Jeff Pettitt issued a second yellow card sending the centre forward off.
With no further scoring, penalties were needed with Burke scoring the decisive 10th kick for the Robins after Darius Smith had missed for the visitors.
Ashton United: Simpson, Cowan, Newton, Lonsdale, Burke, Bianga, Robbins (Byrne 46), Milner, Adams, Potts (Couto 68), Caton (Hardy 72). Subs (unused): Cusani, Rose, Baird, Thompson.
Attendance: 178
Report: David Robinson.