A dramatic comeback saw Ashton recover from a two goal deficit to grab all 3 points with a last minute winner at the Marine Travel Arena. With Dominic Smalley returning at left back, Alex Johnson replaced the injured Jack Dyche at centre forward as Nicky Platt’s free kick was headed wide at the back post by Aaron Chalmers in the opening exchanges. Liam Tomsett then had a shooting chance but chose to put his pass and placed it just too far ahead of Mark Lees, and Tomsett then fired a loose ball well over.

On 20 minutes a poor clearing header by Lanre Olapede dropped to Danny Mitchley and he fired home past Frith and the Robins’ defence was rocking as Strickland’s shot then came back off the post with Bakkor bringing a fine save out of Frith from the rebound. Matty Chadwick then forced Barnes to push his low effort away and Chadwick’s cross saw Lees’ near post header need a superb effort from Barnes to keep it out at the expense of a corner.

After the break a double tackle by Grogan just kept out Chadwick before a quick break saw Murray just crowded out at the other end. On the hour the hosts moved further ahead as Murray’s right wing cross saw Billy Smart’s looping header drop into the far corner of the goal. Seven minutes later and Ashton got back into it as Chadwick’s shirt was pulled leading to a penalty which the winger converted and four minutes later he brought the visitors level from the spot after Tomsett had been tripped.

With the game now up for grabs Platt’s neat pass through the middle allowed Johnson to round Barnes and slide Ashton ahead but the Mariners were not finished and with 5 minutes remaining a neat move saw Bailey’s ball into the area find Murray in just enough space to squeeze his effort home past Frith. Two minutes from normal time and Strickland’s blockbuster was palmed away by Frith but Chadwick was not to be denied and right on full time he worked his way to the by line from where his cross reached Lees (pictured) 12 yards out and he blasted home the winner..

Team: Frith, Olapede, Smalley, Granite, Chalmers, Platt, Lees, Tomsett, Johnson, Pilkington, Chadwick, SNU: Banim, Smith, Povey, Durnin, Roberts.