Red Cards Cost Ashton Dear

Robins' unbeaten run comes to an abrupt end Report by Steve Lee

Ashton United lost for the first time this season as Buxton took full advantage of the Robins having keeper Terry Smith sent off midway through the first half to rack up a comprehensive win.

Striker Ben Deegan took over the gloves as there was no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, and Ashton's plight was worsened close to half time when debutant Phil Bolland was also red carded.

The opening of the game was in total contrast with the Robins playing some attractive one-touch football that bamboozled the Buxton defence, but were unable to turn possession into goals.

As early as the second minute cross from Matty Kosylo was punched out by Ian Deakin to Deegan, whose shot was deflected over the bar, the resulting corner ended with new boy Stephen Johnson shooting wide.

Johnson enjoyed an encouraging debut and he produced a fine run that ended with a shot at Deakin.

Kosylo then supplied a cross that Deegan cushioned into the path of Warren Beattie,but his shot went wide.

Deakin saved from Kyle Harrop at the near post as the Robins continued to dominate.

Buxton then stunned the Robins with a goal with their first shot of the game, midway through the half Neil Stevens picked out Kieran Lugsden in acres of space, and he comfortably beat Smith.

Soon after the Robins were really in the mire as Smith reacted angrily to a challenge, the referee deeming the reaction far worse than the initial incident and controversially gave the Ashton keeper his marching orders.

Johnson almost grabbed an equaliser with another foray at the Bucks defence, his shot from the edge of the area being tipped away by Deakin and then Bolland got on the end of a Matty Burke cross, but headed wide.

Lugsden added a soft second goal five minutes from the break and was on the way through with Deegan to beat when Bolland brought him down in the area, on the stroke of half time. The former Halifax man was sent off and Lee Morris beat Deegan from the spot.

Ashton were given a lifeline early in the second half when the impressive Johnson raced down the right wing and produced a cross come shot from an acute angle that flew into the top corner.

Any hopes of a miraculous recovery were dashed a minute later as a quick break from the home side resulted in Morris finding himself unmarked and he fired home from close range.

Ashton battled away in the second half but conceded two late goals as the nine men ran out of steam.

Ashton: T. Smith, Harrop, Caldecott, Beattie, Bolland, Lynch (Baguley) Kosylo (Burns), Burke, Barlow (Mulholland), Deegan, Johnson. SNU Frost,
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