A second half penalty was enough for Ashton to see off their National League North opponents in their first friendly at home. With several more new faces trialling for the Robins, it was the visitors first onto the offensive as a shot from distance by Etches cleared the bar and a good move saw Thomas’s left wing cross side footed over by West before a decent run by Thomas saw his effort blocked.

A ball into the area then saw Da Silva bring down Stockport full back Miniham with the referee only awarding a corner and the half ended with West’s backheel just evading Thomas. After the break the play continued towards the home goal with Brazel helping a rebound over the top and Winter’s shot being blocked after a decent cross by Thomas.

Following several substitutions the Robins started to threaten as Ben Kay headed Cavell Coo’s long cross past the far post and at the other end West’s left wing cross was half volleyed wide by Peach. The deadlock was broken as Gyimah won a penalty which Johnson knocked home from the rebound but with time running out the visitors won their own spot kick as Miniham was eased off the ball by Coo but West saw his penalty touched against the post by the replacement keeper with the winger hitting the rebound against the bar with the goal gaping.

Team: Carnell, Coo, Pritchard, Eckersley, Chalmers, Roberts, Tomsett, Stachini, Kay, Johnson, Da Silva. Subs: Gyimah, Duke, Woodford, Smith, Lees.