LANCASTER CITY 2, ASHTON UNITED 2
A second half turnaround saw hosts Lancaster City rescue a deserved point after Ashton United had looked in complete contol by the interval at the Giant Axe.
Sean Newton was among players restored to the Ashton line up and three minutes in his centre back partner Sam Baird saw his defensive header drop for Dom Lawson to volley over.
Just four minutes later, Nathan Lowe’s return ball into the area saw Darius Osei’s instant control see his slightly deflected cross fall perfectly for Jason Gilchrist to finish.
Twelve minutes in and Lowe himself doubled the advantage as he won a challenge against Christian Sloan and dummied his way into the area before firing home on his left foot.
Louis White then progressed across the area before placing a left foot shot too high and Newton’s dangerous cross forced Thompson to concede a corner at the far post with the visitors well on top.
White then forced a low save after good play by James Hardy and Lowe’s cross was just cut out by James McClenaghan in front of Gilchrist.
Approaching half time, Aaron Bennett was stopped by Baird just inside the area with no penalty forthcoming and the centre back was replaced at the interval by Trevon Bryan.
Six minutes after the restart, Lewis Mansell found space on the edge of the area and forced a diving save from Jordan Eastham and Hardy stepped past several defenders before seeing his effort blocked.
Newton’s cross then saw Harrison Beeden and his keeper get in each other’s way to concede a corner which finished with Newton’s header being cleared off the line.
Just ahead of the hour mark the Dolly Blues came close as a long clearance sent Charlie Bailey into the area and his pull back was steered narrowly wide by substitute Lewis Coulton, but a minute later they did reduce the arrears as Lewis Mansell juggled the ball past several defenders and teed up Dom Lawson for a close in finish.
Immediately Mansell’s deep cross saw Charlie Bailey’s header touched on to the bar by Eastham as the hosts gained momentum and Newton saw his far post effort saved from Luke Burke’s delivery.
With 11 minutes left, Dylan Thompson strode forward unchallenged and saw his pinpoint cross headed home by Mansell to make it 2-2.
And the home side could have snatched victory as Sam Bailey’s shot needed Eastham to drop to his right to make the save with the final effort seeing Lowe’s effort swing wide following a quick break from Hardy.
Ashton United: Eastham, Doherty, McCourt, Newton, Burke, Baird (Bryan 46), Lowe, White, Gilchrist (Denton 77), Osei, Hardy. Subs (unused): Rimmer, Johnson.
Attendance: 396.
Report: David Robinson.