ASHTON UNITED 2, GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 0
Ashton United’s fine recent form continued as a third successive home victory left them still within sight of the play off positions in Northern Premier League, premier.
Suddenly the Robins, who not long ago looked to have blown their top-five hopes, find themselves eighth and only three points adrift.
Manager Steve Cunningham saw no need for changes and the action got underway on a soft, spongy surface amidst light rain.
James Hardy’s pass intended for Jason Gilchrist was just cut out before Keilen Adams saw his effort blocked out from a good position in the area.
After quarter of an hour, the visitors missed a golden opportunity to take the lead after Alex Byrne had been penalised for fouling Joe Stacey in the area, on-loan keeper Paul Cooper providing his second successive penalty save as he kept out Declan Howe’s effort.
Sam Baird then made a vital tackle on Connor Shanks as he tried to collect Howe’s flick and Shanks’ effort was then headed past the near post for a corner which ended with Lewis Butroid firing over.
Twenty-five minutes in, Byrne was in the action at the other end as his near post cross was helped home by Gilchrist following a fine pass from Brad Abbott.
Howe then picked up a free kick 22 yards out for a foul by Abbott which saw Bobby Johnson’s effort tipped over.
Eight minutes before the break, Adams, making his 50th appearance for the home side, released Warren Clarke down the left wing and his cross provided an unmissable chance for Gilchrist’s second.
Three minutes into the second half, Gilchrist was unable to keep his header down from Adams’s strong cross but just past the hour Mark Abbott was dismissed presumably for dissent and Connor Shanks immediately brought a good low save out of Cooper.
The visitors then won a free kick which resulted in Sean Newton conceding a corner leading to Dylan Cogill heading over and the Robins were then able to run down the clock a man light to secure the points and look forward to next weekend’s trip to leaders Radcliffe.
Ashton United: Cooper, Cowan, Newton, Abbott, Burke, Baird, Byrne, Hardy (Couto 81), Gilchrist (Charles 81), Adams (Lowe 63), Clarke. Subs (unused): Cusani, Caton.
Attendance: 301.
Report: David Robinson.