CURZON ASHTON 0, SCUNTHORPE UNITED 1
Player-manager Craig Mahon was fulsome in the praise of his Curzon Ashton part-timers as they gave Vanarama National League North leaders Scunthorpe United a stern examination in a 1-0 home defeat.
The clash of the top two saw former EFL club Scunthorpe, still a full-time outfit, edge a contest which could have gone either way.
The margins were minimal as The Nash slipped to a second league loss which was inflicted by a Will Evans goal early in the second half.
“One moment changed the game and we will have a look to see if we could have defended the corner better,” explained Mahon.
“They are the biggest and best side in the division so to go toe to toe with them is credit to the players and their attitudes.
“When we lost 4-1 at Brackley, you accept you were well beaten, but it hurts when you deserve more That’s football, it can be cruel.”
Mahon continued: “We had chances and created opportunities, and I felt we were the team that was going to score first.
“That is why they are where they are. They soak up pressure and then catch you.
“It was a tough pill to swallow, but I was delighted with the way our players showcased what they can do.
“The difference between both clubs is off the scale – they are a club which is big and fantastic, more EFL than non-league.
“I told the players they have set the bar, and they should be proud of what they have done against the best team in the league. There was nothing in it.”
The Iron, who lost their EFL status in 2022 and were relegated again 12 months later, have now collected 19 points from a possible 21, scoring 13 times and conceding only one from their first seven league games – hugely impressive stats.
And it looked as though they had taken the lead in the sixth minute when Danny Whitehall glanced a header from a free kick against the inside of the post as it unbelievably stayed out.
Curzon also struck the frame of the goal when Devon Matthews’ header from a free kick hit the bar while Isaac Buckley-Ricketts ought to have also netted for The Nash when he was clean through but failed to beat keeper Ross Fitzsimons in the goalless opening period.
The decisive moment came in the 51st minute when Evans, a summer signing from Boreham Wood, was left unmarked to fired home Michael Clunan’s corner.
The Iron went close with a couple of other long-range efforts, but Curzon hung in and Stefan Mols had a great chance to level just before the hour but fired wide.
There was also fireworks, but not on the pitch, though it became fiery towards the end. An impressive display behind the goal would have not been out of place on November 5 rather than the start of September.
Curzon threw everything at Scunthorpe – keeper Bobby Jones moved up front in stoppage time for a free kick and corner – but the visitors defended resolutely to hold on for the win, but they cannot have had a much tougher examination in the current campaign.