BAMBER BRIDGE 2, ASHTON UNITED 1
A goal just past the hour mark from centre forward Ewan Bange was enough to see Bamber Bridge take all three points against Ashton United at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.
It leaves the Robins fifth and clinging on to the last play-off place in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier. They are five points clear of sixth-placed Ilkeston Town with two matches left.
Ashton restored James Hardy and Callum Rowe in midfield and it was Hardy who missed a glorious chance after minutes as pressure on the home defence led to the ball breaking his way and having sidestepped the last defender he fired over the bar.
Three minutes later, the home side moved ahead as Emerich Poilly played a one-two which took him into the area and, after his initial shot was blocked by Sean Newton, he fired home the rebound.
After 24 minutes, a left-wing attack saw Darius Osei’s cross cleared before Hardy regained possession and set up Osei for a curling finish on his right foot to make It 1-1.
Bridge could have regained the lead just before the half hour as Rowe picked up a booking against Michael Potts which saw Jack Baxter’s free kick pushed out to Mark Cullen who brought a last-ditch save out from keeper Connor Eastham.
The first half closed with Newton’s free kick hitting the wall after Byrne had been fouled with Newton’s follow up cross headed over at the far post by Osei.
The hosts opened the second half in positive fashion as Newton cleared Chris Churchman’s cross with a spectacular overhead before Baxter’s subsequent dangerous cross beat everyone.
Just past the hour, Bange fired across goal after collecting a rebound in the area and, when the ball was recycled, he was on hand to head home at the far post.
Substitute Patrick Jarrett then won a throw in from Sam Baird which saw Poilly just denied at the near post from Churchman’s subsequent cross.
With three minutes left, Tom Denton’s far post header was scraped away by Charlie Casper following Josh Doherty’s deep cross and the full back’s next cross could only be helped into the far side netting by Jason Gilchrist.
The last chance of the action saw a combination of Eastham and Rowe block out Bange as Ashton continue their battle to secure the last play-off place.
Ashton United: C Eastham, Effunuga (Gilchrist 79), Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Byrne (White 69), Rowe, Carver (Denton79), Osei, Hardy (Chimalilo 69) Sub (unused): Rose.
Attendance: 668.
Report: David Robinson.