WINSFORD United sealed back-to-back victories with a 3-0 win over Ashton Athletic on Tuesday night.

Lewis Benson, Dylan Chalice and Joe Duckworth all found the net in a victory that was built on defensive discipline for Blues, who host Runcorn Town in the North West Counties Premier Division on Saturday.

In the opening stages Duckworth had an early glimpse at goal, but his effort from outside the area went wide of the far post. That was as good as it got for the hosts in the opening 15 minutes.

Ashton, who were beaten 9-1 against Charnock Richard at the weekend, controlled possession with Winsford unable to get out their own half.

With all the possession, Ashton were only able to test Jacob Kirwin in the Winsford goal with two long range efforts from Millen Brown and Joseph Nicholson.

Having dealt with the continued pressure from Ashton, Winsford were then able to get possession themselves. Both Duckworth and Matthew Boland had joy getting in behind the defensive line and that is what the hosts exploited for the opening goal.

Matthew Russell found Boland with a sweeping pass from right to left, Winsford’s number ten then cut back inside the on-rushing defender before finding Benson in the middle with a delightful cross to open the scoring on the half hour.

Ashton almost responded instantly. Within seconds of the restart Christopher Bandell found himself in on goal but Kirwin denied the striker with an excellent save.

The Winsford goalkeeper was called into action again minutes later, this time it was a diving save to claw away Declan Gallagher’s headed effort which looked destined for the top corner.

Falling behind looked to have spurred on the visitors as they went close again. This time there was nothing Kirwin could do to stop Nicholson’s effort which left the keeper routed to the spot, but luckily for Lee Duckworth’s side the ball hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety.

Before the half ended Winsford had a great chance to double their lead. Duckworth’s deflected effort fell kindly to Boland but he couldn’t keep his composure with the effort going high and wide.

The first chance of the second half fell the way of the visitors, Dale Korie-Butler’s cross looking to have fallen at the feet of Nicholson at the back post but Kirwin was on hand again to dive at the feet of the winger.

Just like the first half Winsford were forced to defend deep for the majority of the half. Duckworth and Boland did maintain a threat on the counter attack for the Blues.

As the clocked ticked closer to the 90th minute Winsford remained resolute in defence. They were rewarded for their defensive work when Boland found substitute Chalice inside the six-yard box who headed home to double Winsford’s lead.

Winsford’s second win in four days was sealed in the final minutes. Joe Duckworth drew the foul inside the area and he dusted himself off to dispatch the penalty.

Winsford: Jacob Kirwin, Matthew Russell, Perry Bircumshaw, Adam Barlow, Daniel Kerr, Steven Jenyons, Lewis Benson, Matthew Coughlan, Joe Duckworth, Matthew Boland, David Short. Subs: Dylan Chalice, Oliver Pope, Damian Skolorzynski, Sean Sherwood, Samuel Parr.