ATHERTON COLLIERIES 1, ASHTON UNITED 2
Ashton United recovered from a half-time deficit to take all three points for their first win in seven matches at a chilly Skuna Stadium.
And the victory lifted the Robins to sixth place in Northern Premier League, premier and only outside the last play-off spot on goal difference.
Luke Simpson was back in goal for Ashton and there was a debut up front for loan signing Jake Charles, grandson of the Welsh legend John, who was to fire the visitors level midway through the second half.
Colls had the advantage of the slope in the first period and made the ideal start as seven minutes in Harvey Gregson found himself in acres of space and having seen his shot deflect well wide for a corner,
Adam Dawson’s near post delivery was forced home close in by Sidi Fofana.
Within three minutes Marcus Cusani, playing against his former club, saw his right foot shot blocked on the edge of the area before he placed a left-foot attempt wide and another corner at the other end saw Dawson’s return ball headed wide of the back post by Dylan Thompson.
Charles’ lay off to Alex Byrne then saw the winger’s cross headed back across goal by Cusani for Defreitas-Hanson to make the save and Lewis Coulton was squeezed out after Sean Newton’s pass had sold Sam Baird short.
The second period opened with Simpson needing to make a sharp save as Dawson latched on to a cross-field pass before James Hardy sent a dipping effort just over the Colls’ crossbar and Cusani forced a corner from which Newton’s header was just cleared.
Charles thought he had scored a debut goal as he touched home Benny Couto’s shot before the assistant intervened and substitute Keilen Adams then entered the fray and immediately won a corner which saw Newton volley Byrne’s delivery over the top.
Adams’ next contribution saw his effort from a right-wing cross come back off the bar but Charles was on hand to level matters up.
Nathan Lowe’s dipping effort then just evaded Adams at the far post.
WIth nine minutes left, Adams won a corner with the ball eventually falling to Byrne to slide home the winner.
Ashton United: Scott, Baird, Newton, Couto, Burke, Lowe (Milner 89), Byrne, Rose, Hardy (Cowan 90), Charles, Cusani (Adams 60). Subs (unused): Bianga, Caton.
Attendance: 237.
Report: David Robinson.