Ashton United 3-2 Marine

Marine slipped to their third consecutive midweek defeat as Ashton United took all three points in Tameside. Manager Sean Hessey was able to name the same starting line-up which earned a creditable point at Nantwich on Saturday.

On a damp night and in front of a meagre crowd at Hurst Cross the Yellows began brightly, and in the 6th minute deadly Danny Mitchley bagged his fourth in as many games to open the scoring. Andy Owens did well to hold up play before finding Mitchley, who took a touch and let fly from 25 yards, the ball swerving deliciously past the not so brilliantly pink-apparelled Phillips.

Robins striker Johnson was then forced off with an injury in just the 10th minute to be replaced by ex-Mariner Aaron Burns, who was to have a major say in proceedings later in the game. Ashton gradually began to threaten and Baguley teed-up Chadwick, the lively winger firing a shot narrowly wide of Matt Cooper's right-hand post.

Luke Holden then sent over an inviting cross at the other end which located Tom Owens at the back-post. Owens cushioned the ball into Mitchley's path but the ex-Skem striker showed that he is human after all as he blazed high and wide from 15 yards out.

Ashton found their equaliser on 26 minutes as a mishit pass eluded Stephen Wainwright and King burst into the box. The Robins' midfield man advanced on goal but was brought down in less than regal fashion by Cooper, referee Sherwood awarding the merry men in red and white a spot-kick. Baguley placed his shot just inside Cooper's left-hand post and although the Marine custodian got a hand to the ball he couldn't quite prevent the restoration of parity.

A midfield battle then ensued for quarter of an hour with neither side managing to gain the upper hand, and having suffered a knee injury Holden was replaced by Lewis Codling for the Yellows.

Perhaps the pivotal period of play came in the final few minutes of the half, as Carl Peers played a free-kick in from the Marine right which found an unmarked Andy Owens six yards out, but unfortunately the big striker glanced his header wide of goal. United capitalised almost immediately, as a raking ball from the right-back position found the dangerous Chadwick on the left touchline. His low centre found Baguley who took a good first touch before placing a right-footed finish wide of Cooper and inside the far post to give the Robins the advantage at the interval.

As at Nantwich the travelling Marine faithful were looking for a better second half showing from the Yellows, but despite the home side not quite looking as strong a team as in recent seasons they managed to keep the Crosby side at arm's length for much of the game.

The Robins were first to threaten in the second period as Chadwick's low drive was parried by Cooper at full stretch, the rebound falling to Burns who could only find the side-netting although the Assistant's flag was already raised for offside.

Ashton then grabbed what was to prove the decisive goal just before the hour mark, as they moved the ball with ease from right to left. Eventually the spheroid found its way to King who showed a fair amount of love and pride to shift the ball past Mitch Duggan, before squaring to the near post for Burns to provide an emphatic finish from close-range.

On the traditionally heavy Hurst Cross surface the Mariners now faced, quite literally, an uphill battle and Chad Whyte replaced Duggan as Hessey's troops sought a way back into the game. However despite retaining their fair share of possession the Mariners were struggling to provide a decent service for their strikers, and Mitchley was forced to try his luck from distance as the visitors' frustrations increased.

The Yellows kept plugging away and reduced the deficit on 79 minutes, as once again a Peers free-kick from the right found found the head of Andy Owens who this time made no mistake as his well-directed header found the bottom corner of Phillips' net.

Sean Myler then made a welcome return for the Mariners as he replaced Tom Owens for the remaining ten minutes, but in truth Ashton saw out the game in relative comfort and looked more likely to add a fourth goal themselves. As the Robins flew forward, Andy Owens produced a tremendous challenge in the left-back postion to deny substitute Pilkington.

No further chances were created and full-time arrived to signal a disappointing defeat for the Mariners.

The Mariners are in FA Trophy action on Saturday as they entertain Sheffield FC in the First Qualifying Round at the Marine Travel Arena.

Marine: Matt Cooper, Mitch Duggan (Chad Whyte 63), Stephen Wainwright, Liam Willis, Carl Peers, Andy Nicholas (c), Luke Holden (Lewis Codling 36), James Foley, Danny Mitchley, Andy Owens, Tom Owens (Sean Myler 80).

Unused subs: Zac Procter, Ollie Sharman. Cautions: none

Ashton United: Paul Phillips, Mark Lees, Stephen Mason, Jason Gorton (c), Liam Goulding, Jeff King (Martin Pilkington 75), Chris Baguley (Will Haining 63), Gary Gee, Paul Marshall, Dale Johnson (Aaron Burns 10), Matty Chadwick.

Unused subs: Cavell Coo, Adam Morning. Cautions: Gee

Goals: Marine; Mitchley (6), A Owens (79).
Ashton United; Baguley (pen 26, 44), Burns (59).

Referee: Mr Robert Sherwood
Assistants: Mr Michael Connell and Mr Steven Lynch

Attendance: 152