Newly promoted Cleethorpes won their first ever encounter with Ashton United with a clear cut victory at Hurst Cross courtesy of two goals in each half.

The action got off to a slow start with Owen German needing to block Billy Whitehouse's shot after a loose pass out from the back by Jordan Eastham and the opening goal arrived after 18 minutes as Callum Ainley won a free kick on the corner of the area which saw Nicholas Walker's delivery glanced home by centre forward Joshua Walker.

Twenty minutes in the returning Louis White played a short corner with Al Byrne which saw White's delivery headed over his own bar by Jack Vamm but ten minutes before the break the visitors moved further ahead as a short corner routine saw Nicholas Walker's cross skilfully finished at the far post by Callum Foster.

Three minutes before the break the Robins had their first shot on target as White caught hold of a right foot volley bringing a good low save out of Battersby and just before the break Byrne's right wing cross was headed over in the six yard box by Darius Osei.

A series of corners at the start of the second half for the hosts ended with sub Mikey O'Neill forcing Oliver Battersby to tip his effort over before a slip by Luke Burke gave sub Aaron Braithwaite a run on goal from where he passed when he could have shot.

Two minutes before the hour mark a quick break saw Nicholas Walker outpace Josh Doherty before unselfishly setting up Whitehouse to convert at the second attempt after a good initial save from Jordan Eastham.

A deflected effort from Enock Lusiama then won a corner and after Doherty had won a loose ball Tomlinson sent a raking effort just wide of the left hand post.

The scoring was completed as a long clearance saw a flick on from Harvey Sutcliffe lead to Nicholas Walker setting up his namesake Joshua for a tap in and his second goal before Ashton's last chance saw Lusiama bring Byrne's cross down before just clearing the crossbar.

Att: 229

Team: Eastham, Burke, Doherty, Newton (O'Neill 46), White, Tomlinson (Navarro 74), Byrne, German, Burgess, Osei (Yahaya 74), Lusiama. SNU: Denton, Taylor.