ASHTON UNITED 1, MACCLESFIELD FC 0
A goal with almost the last kick of the game by Sam Baird gave Ashton United a famous victory over runaway league leaders Macclesfield FC at a freezing Hurst Cross as the title favourites failed to score for the first time this season.
In the last of the four minutes added on by referee Kieran Chell, substitute Trevon Bryan was fouled out wide by Paul Dawson. When fellow sub Nathan Lowe curled his delivery in, centre back Baird headed home at the near post to send the majority of the 407 crowd home delighted.
The Robins had Sean Newton back in defence in place of Dan Cowan and it was he who made a vital block just before the quarter hour from D’Mani Mellor’s effort after build-up between Neil Kengni and Sean Etaluku before being forced off with an injury 10 minutes later.
The first half had little real goalmouth action and saw Baird put a vital tackle on Mellor to prevent a break just past the half hour mark.
Nine minutes after the restart, Etaluku’s dangerous low cross was cleared before a byline cross from Kengni saw Mellor again denied close in this time by a Docherty block.
Lowe then showed his flamboyant side with a 35-yard snapshot forcing keeper Max Dearnley into a tip over and after Darius Osei had won a further corner Lowe’s volley comfortably cleared the crossbar.
On the hour, Luke Duffy made a burst into the Ashton area and brought a full-length save from home keeper Jordan Eastham and eight minutes later the Silkmen came even closer as Duffy’s left wing cross was turned against the bar by Danny Elliot.
Etaluku then saw his shot blocked by Eastham after a clever pass had sent Trey Pemberton to the byline and after Brandon Lee won a corner from Alex Byrne the delivery saw Lewis Fensome’s unmarked header clip the top of the crossbar.
Bryan then won a free kick for the Robins which Byrne rather wasted putting it over the top and Dawson’s fierce effort was fired straight at Eastham.
With deadlock looking inevitable, Macclesfield won three corners in succession before Baird’s dramatic winner saw Ashton close the gap at the top of the table as they strengthened their hold on a play-off spot in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier.
Ashton United: Eastham, Efunnuga, Doherty (Bryan 73), Newton (Lowe 25), Burke, Baird, Byrne, White, Hardy (Gilchrist 72), Osei, Rowe. Sub (unused): Denton.
Attendance: 407.
Report: David Robinson.