Ashton were denied their second home victory of the week by a late equaliser at Hurst Cross. The first half saw a dearth of real chances but the visitors were first to threaten as Hardy’s layback was sliced by Williams but the return ball saw the same player put a fine volley straight at Phillips. The Bucks attack continued to look lively and often had the Robins’ defence at full stretch and it was 5 minutes before the interval before Martin Pilkington guided Ashley Young’s high pass wide of the target but the hosts took the lead on the stroke of half time as Ashley Young’s free kick was backheaded past advancing keeper Jameson by captain Jay Gorton to open the scoring.

After the interval the home side could have extended their advantage as a long free kick saw Garry Gee’s header back into the area finding Gorton just unable to connect and on 51 minutes a fine 1-2 between Young and Chadwick led to Richard Bennett heading against the crossbar. Substitute Martin Hill’s cross from the right then saw Bennett’s header cleared off the line by a defender before Young sent the rebound bouncing straight into Jameson’s arms. Midway through the half they came close again as Martin Pilkington rounded Jameson but saw his effort beat both the onrushing Bennett and the far post.

Unfortunately Hill was soon to sustain a serious looking injury as he went to ground under a challenge and immediately signalled for medical attention – he left the field with his arm strapped up. As time began to run out Read’s flick on saw Tuton just beaten to the ball by Phillips but Ashton were made to pay for missed opportunities in the last minute of normal time as Istead’s forward pass to Tuton saw him just denied by the foot of Phillips and the resulting corner fell to the unmarked Derek Niven who fired the equaliser into the roof of the net. Ashton remain unbeaten after three games and now look forward to the Bank Holiday game at Curzon who have also made an unbeaten start.

Team: Phillips, Coo, Roberts-Nurse, Gorton, Higgins, Young, Chadwick (Hill) (Rick), Gee, Pilkington (Hazel), Bennett & Coppin.
SNU: Halford & Baguley.