ASHTON UNITED 0, PRESCOT CABLES 0
Early league leaders Ashton United were left frustrated at Hurst Cross as they failed to score against Prescot Cables for the third successive game.
The Robins had opened their Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier campaign three days earlier with a fine 3-0 win at Gainsborough Trinity, but slipped to fifth place after last night’s stalemate.
Ashton were without Callum Rowe with Luca Navarro, the two-goal hero from the win at Gainsborough, making his full debut.
A very warm evening saw Navarro immediately in the action as his shot was blocked in the area by Peter Clarke following a combination between Jason Gilchrist and Darius Osei.
Five minutes in, James Steele was crowded out on the edge of the area after Luke Burke’s initial clearance had been blocked.
Just ahead of the quarter hour, Burke collected a loose ball before providing the cross from which Navarro headed wide while at the other end Matthew Devine advanced towards the area before firing a goalbound attempt which drew a brave block out of Sam Baird.
Just past the half hour, the Robins came close to a breakthrough as Alex Byrne played in Burke whose cross eventually reached Osei only for him to hook a difficult ball wide of goal.
Four minutes after the break, Ashton almost moved ahead as Byrne’s long free kick reached Sean Newton who brought a decent save out of Calvin Hare and Newton then blocked James Foley’s shot from the edge of the area before Jack Goodwin placed his effort well wide.
Sam Baird was again on hand in defence to foil both James Steele and Anthony Donaldson and with 11 minutes left Francis Smith’s quick free kick attempted to catch out Jordan Eastham with Sambor picking up a booking for his challenge on the keeper.
A minute from time, Alex McNally’s cross into the box saw Kyle Sambor’s snapshot well palmed away by Eastham with the game somewhat petering out with both sides claiming a point.
Ashton United: Eastham, Burke, Doherty, White, Baird, Byrne, Gilchrist (Efunnuga 80), Osei, Navarro (Taylor 68, Denton 94), Tomlinson (O’Neill 57), Newton. Sub (unused): Rutherford.
Attendance: 329.
Report: David Robinson.