Lambert Strikes as Robins Make it Six Unbeaten - by Steve Lee

Given that only goal difference separated the sides before kick off, it was hardly a surprise that the sides shared the spoils at the final whistle after a fine open game at the Weaver Stadium.

Ashton perhaps ought to have taken full points having created the better of the chances on offer, but were also grateful to Terry Smith for making a couple of late saves to preserve their six game unbeaten record.

The Robins started positively with Aaron Burns having a couple of early efforts on goal, his first when he shot over following a pass from Matty Kosylo and then had an effort from an acute angle that went into the side netting.

Both Warren Beattie and Alex Frost had long range efforts that went wide before the home side troubled the Robins defence as a fortunate deflection fell into the path of Sean Cooke, but his shot went over the bar.

Nantwich failed to utilise the strong wind at their backs although Tom Urwin did try his luck from long range, but Smith made a comfortable save and Matt Bailey failed to keep his shot down after pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the area.

Ashton began the second half by creating a couple of great chances to open the scoring, a cross from the right fell to the unmarked Frost who had raced into a great position, only to see his shot cannon to safety off the foot of the post.

The next Robins attack saw Burns through on goal with just Jon Brain to beat, but his shot went over the bar.

The pressure finally told when George Melling's long throw in was only partially cleared by Rod McDonald and Danny Lambert pounced on the loose ball to send a shot through a crowd of players into the back of the net.

Town battled back well and a mazy run from the lively Zach Foster ended with a shot that was deflected wide.

A rare error from Smith played its part in the Dabbers equaliser, firstly a quickly taken throw was intercepted and the resulting cross from Andy White wasn't dealt with by the usually reliable keeper and giant centre forward Bailey headed home.

The concession of a soft goal did little to lessen the hearts of the Robins who continued to look the more likely to score again, Burns shot wide after a typical run from Chris Amadi, an early second half introduction for the injured Mark Peers. Amadi also tried his luck from a Melling long throw, but his shot went over the bar.

Smith saved well to deny Foster after a run from Michael Lennon and then the Ashton keeper was at full stretch to tip a Lennon shot around the post in a pulsating end to the game.

In the first minute of added on time Kevin Sanasy produced a 20-yarder that Brain palmed away, Town managing to clear their lines without too much trouble and then in the final minute Nantwich had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Cooke appeared to be tripped in the area, but the referee waved play on, much to the relief of the Robins.

Overall, a draw was about the right result against well organised Nantwich team.

ASHTON: Smith, Frost, Roberts, Beattie, Melling, Robinson, Rose (Sanasy 82), Lambert, Burns, Kosylo, Peers (Amadi 47). subs not used Murphy, Harrop, Bennett.