Winsford United 2 Ashton Athletic 2

WINSFORD recovered from a two-goal deficit to rescue a late point against Ashton Athletic on Saturday to keep them away from the North West Counties Premier Division relegation places.

The game began at a high tempo, with both sides having chances to break the deadlock early on.

Danny Egan’s effort was saved by visiting keeper Martin Pearson in the Blues’ best, while Ashton’s Isaac Kusaloka was denied by the crossbar at the other end.

It was the visitors who took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Winsford conceded the ball in midfield and, under pressure from Kusaloka, player-manager Lee Duckworth unfortunately lobbed the ball over the advancing Michael Langley and into his own net.

Ashton doubled their lead just after half-time when Kusaloka nodded home a rebound after Daniel Regan’s shot had hit the crossbar.

Duckworth’s side now faced a huge task to retrieve the situation but set about their work by pulling a goal back through substitute Jordan Johnson, who was on hand to convert a well-weighted cross from Liam Collins.

The Blues piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser and it eventually came in the final ten minutes when Johnson collected a pass from Harry Brazel before smashing into the corner.

Winsford are back in action tonight, Monday, as they host West Didsbury, kick off 7.45pm.

Winsford United: Langley, Stott, Kirk, Duckworth, Kerr, Taylor, Brazel, Riley (Johnson, 57), Egan, Collins. Subs not used: Wakefield, Clarke, Osborne.