ILKESTON TOWN 2, ASHTON UNITED 2
A brave fightback saw Ashton United rescue a point at Ilkeston Town having been two goals down at the New Manor Ground.
It was a hard-earned draw which helps keep the Robins third in Northern Premier League, Premier.
Connor O’Keefe was back in goal in place of the suspended Jordan Eastham and this became significant as early as the eighth minute as Sam Parker’s free kick into the area saw Thomas Cursons’ header fumbled over the line by the keeper.
The visitors had already threatened as Luke Burke’s ball over the top saw Darius Osei’s cross from the byline cut out by Matthew Yates with Jason Gilchrist poised to convert.
One minute after the opener, Jak McCourt played a short pass allowing Harvey Kirby-Moore to round Dan Cowan and pull the ball back for L’Varn Brandy to put it wide when he should have done better.
Three minutes before the half hour, the hosts doubled their advantage as Jamie Walker’s deep return ball was headed home at the far post by Thomas Marshall.
Louis White should have done better at the other end than to miss-kick as a rebound fell invitingly to him.
Three minutes before the break, the visitors were handed a lifeline as a long free kick saw Matt Yates advance to the edge of his area and when the ball was headed clear Gilchrist had a simple task to roll it into the unguarded net.
The home side started the second period by turning a throw in into a corner which saw a scramble at the near post led to Cursons’ effort being deflected over by Dan Cowan and Walker’s left foot delivery saw Kirby-Moore’s header saved by O’Keefe’s foot.
Midway through the half, Connor Dixon was booked for catching Sam Baird and six minutes later he was dismissed for kicking the ball away after Marshall had picked up a booking.
Just a minute later a short corner routine saw Benny Couto’s cross headed against the post by Cowan with Osei on hand to level matters,
Then with nine minutes left, Cowan saw another header cleared off the line following Couto’s corner.
With four minutes left, numbers were evened up as Baird was dismissed for a second foul and in added time Colin Daniel caught hold of a first-time volley but put it straight at O’Keefe after a loose clearance from Trevon Bryan.
Ashton United: O’Keefe, Cowan, Doherty, McCourt, Burke, Baird, Lowe (Bryan 61), White, Gilchrist (Couto 61), Osei, Hardy (Denton 79). Sub (unused): Newton.
Attendance: 651.
Report: David Robinson.