All Square As Robins Level On 90Mins

Ashton show character to earn their fair share of the spoils. Report Steve Lee

Aaron Burns injury time penalty earned Ashton United a point against a battling Kendal Town side that belied their lowly league position.

The Robins had an early effort when Tom Baker tried his luck from long range, but his shot went wide, whilst in an end to end opening, Kendal created a chance as Jack Cook headed into the path of Josh Amis, but he too was off target.

Ashton had good claims for a penalty as former Stalybridge stopper Craig Dootson brought down Astley Mulholland, but the referee deemed the challenge to be fair.

Mulholland then tried his luck after latching onto a pass by Danny Caldecott, but his shot went over the bar.

Chris Lynch had two chances from a Mark Peers corner, firstly he produced an air shot, and when the ball was redirected into his path, the skipper shot wide from close range.

Stephen Johnson ended a fine five man move with a shot that didn’t trouble Dootson before Kendal took advantage of some poor defending as Alex Taylor lobbed Paul Phillips to give the hosts the lead.

Phillips then produced a fine save on the stroke of half time to repel an effort from Amis.

The second half was equally as frenetic with Lynch again showing his willingness to try his luck as he cashed in on Kendal failing to clear their lines, but he again shot wide.

Johnson, enjoyed many forays down the slope and a run from the half way line saw him finally unleash a shot that was deflected for a corner.

Kendal were always a threat coming forward and Taylor should have made more of being unmarked in the area, but tried the spectacular with a scissors kick that went over the bar.

Matty Kosylo didn’t take long to have an effect on the game as he created the Robins leveller, the move started with Johnson once more producing a run down the left before switching play to the opposite wing where Kosylo beat Danny Willams with a superb piece of skill before picking out Burns who made no mistake from close range.

Ashton were on terms for less than a minute though, for after giving away a needless foul, Williams pumped a free kick into the Ashton area and giant striker Sefton Gonzales rose unmarked to give Phillips no chance and restore the Cumbrians advantage.

Amis could have made it three after Cook had found him in space, but Phillips reacted quickly to save with his legs.

Kendal wasted a glorious chance to wrap the game up with three minutes left as Kevin Leadbetter had a shot saved by Phillips, the loose ball rolled across the Ashton area to substitute Scott Harries, but he somehow contrived to put the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Ashton continued to push forward for the equaliser and when Burns was ready to pull the trigger after a cross from the left, Marc Joseph brought the striker down for an obvious penalty.

Burns was calmness personified as he sent Dootson the wrong way two minutes into stoppage time to converted the spot kick to make in three braces in as many games.

Ashton could have won it in the final minute of added on time, but Baker’s shot deflected over the bar, but it would have been a tad harsh on a hard working Kendal side that fully deserved to take something from the game.

Ashton: Phillips, Frost, Caldecott (Baguley 84), Beattie, Robinson, Lynch, Peers (Kosylo 55), Baker, Burns, Mulholland (Hogan 80), Johnson. Subs not used Harrop, Burke