ASHTON UNITED 2, WORKSOP TOWN 3
A hat-trick from visiting centre forward Jordon Burrow saw second-placed Worksop Town home in a top-of-the-table clash with Ashton United who are fourth.
The home side had Sam Baird back in defence and restored Jordan Eastham in goal, both following suspensions, and after a tight opening the visitors moved ahead from the first real chance as Daniel Bramall played a one-two in midfield with Jacob Gratton before putting in a fine cross which invited Burrow to plant his header past Eastham.
Intermittent rain was sweeping across Hurst Cross as Alek Starcenko beat two men halfway through the first period before being stopped by Josh Doherty.
And when the free kick was swung in again by Bramall, a scramble in the area resulted in Burrow steering home his second.
Three minutes later Gratton spun on to a through ball and saw his fierce effort palmed down by Eastham.
And with the hosts struggling to get into the game, captain for the day Benny Couto forced a near post save out of Tommy Taylor from Louis White’s pass with Darius Osei heading the resulting corner over the top.
A long clearance then saw White’s touch fall to Osei whose deflected effort was pushed away before Bramall fired in a left foot effort which sent Eastham full length to make the save.
The home side finally found a foothold on the stroke of half time as Nathan Lowe’s quickly taken free kick saw the alert Osei steer his finish past Taylor to reduce the deficit.
Seven minutes after the restart, Lowe sent a dipping effort just wide following a rebound and after Osei’s persistence had won a corner Couto’s delivery was scuffed by the defence into Taylor’s arms.
Three minutes past the hour the Robins’ good work was undone as Burrow was on hand to touch home his third after Eastham had spilled Starcenko’s shot following a good pass from substitute Regan Hutchinson.
Sean Newton could have conceded a fourth as he sliced Gratton’s by-line cross just past the far post and Osei’s header was then just too high from Luke Burke’s volleyed cross.
With five minutes left, Lowe’s shot rather hit Taylor who knew little about it after good work by Trevon Bryan. And 3 minutes later Taylor’s clearance was headed straight back by Doherty sending Osei into the area where he finished at the second attempt.
Ashton United: Eastham, McCourt (Bryan 71), Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Lowe, White, Hardy (Denton 71), Osei, Couto (Gilchrist 71). Subs (not used): Johnson, O’Keefe.
Attendance: 402.
Report: David Robinson.