Pilgrims pegged back at Hurst Cross

Report by David Robinson. Pictures Jez Sayle

A last gasp equaliser saw the Robins rescue a point from a close fought encounter with Boston who drew for the first time in the League. Ashton were giving a debut to Josh Askew on the left wing and straight from the kick off Bradley Jackson’s cross had to be put out for a corner. After an even opening to the game Ryan Qualter picked up a loose ball for the visitors and sent an unstoppable effort in off the post from almost 40 yards out and then Jackson cut inside on to his left foot but saw his effort headed away by James Jones.
Matty Chadwick then saw his effort miss the angle after progressing across the area and Lewis Baines needed to make a good block at the other end after Ben Davies’ pass picked out Gavin Allott. The ball then broke in the area to David Norris who fired it across goal and Matt Regan’s forward pass fell off Chadwick to Askew who delayed his shot and Chadwick himself was flagged offside.

Into the second half and after Thanoj’s low effort had been held by Luke Pilling the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the area as Chadwick was brought down by Ashley Jackson with contact looking to be inside the box with the free kick being headed away by Davies.
Luke Ashworth’s cross was guided just past the far post by Martin and Ashworth then cleared Jordan Slew’s shot off the line after Allott had rounded the advancing Pilling. Regan’s header was then palmed away from Chadwick’s corner with Lewis Baines steering the rebound over the top but with time running out the Pilgrims were reduced to ten men as Brad Abbott saw red for dissent. This gave the hosts the momentum to find the equaliser as Sam Sheridan’s defence splitting pass picked out sub Liam Tomsett and he slid the ball home past Sebastian Malkowski. Sheridan then fired in an effort from 25 yards which was deflected behind and after he was fouled 25 yards out Chadwick could only hit the wall with the resulting free kick.

Ashton Utd: Pilling, Lees, Hill (Martin 63), Chalmers (Ashworth 31), Baines, Kay (Tomsett 70), Jackson, Regan, Chadwick, Sheridan, Askew. SNU: Anghel, Holgate.