Season: 2023-24

Ashington vs Grimsby Borough

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner asked his players to address their indifferent home form before Saturday’s clash with Grimsby Borough – but the mystery continues after the visitors came from behind to take all three points.

It had looked so good for the Colliers when Dan Maguire nudged them ahead but a performance which Skinner labelled afterwards as being ‘unacceptable’ was about to unfold.

Ten minutes before half time, ‘The Wilderness Boys’ drew level through Lewis Collins and just past the midway point in the second period, Adam Drury slotted home what proved to be their winner.

On non-league day, the game attracted a bumper crowd in excess of 700 but it was never going to be a classic with a strong wind blowing down the ground.

Ashington – kicking against the elements in the first period – went ahead on the quarter hour. Ben Sampson played the ball down the right to Wilson Kneeshaw and after cutting inside, he pulled it back for Maguire whose shot crept inside the far corner from nine yards.

Grimsby’s response was a free-kick from 20 yards by Reece York which was held by home ‘keeper Ross Coombe then within seconds, play switched and Kneeshaw wriggled into the box but when he found Cam Gascoigne, the midfielder fired over.

Then on 22 minutes, Kneeshaw missed a glorious opportunity to double his sides lead with Sampson again the provider.

The striker who was through on goal with only ‘keeper Liam Higton to beat lashed the ball over from seven yards.

Ashington had a lucky escape on the half hour following a throw in when a Grimsby player poked the ball wide but in the 35th minute the visitors equalised.

Ashington cast an eye towards the referee looking for a free kick which never materialised and after the visitors had advanced, Collins poked home from close range.

The Colliers were creating their own problems and had certainly not fired on all cylinders in the first half. But after the break – in a 45 minutes which was devoid of chances – their performance plummeted drastically and was abysmal.

They did carve out the first opening in the 68th minute when Kneeshaw found Sampson who crossed where Charlie Exley hit a half volley into the ground which was taken by Higton.

A minute later the home side were on the end of a classic sucker punch when they were caught out on the break. Drury charged through the middle shrugging off a challenge from Gary Ormston before slotting wide of Coombe.

In the first minute of time added on following a long clearance by Coombe, Kneeshaw passed to substitute Connor Thomson who cut inside but saw his effort blocked by Higton.

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Belper Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Those in the know often say that a week can be a long time in football. Try stretching the period from a week to a couple of months!

Recap to a Tuesday night in early January when Ashington took on promotion chasing Belper Town at Woodhorn Lane. The clash which ensued between two evenly matched sides was decided in the Colliers’ favour by a sensational strike from Wilson Kneeshaw.

Back to real time and Saturday’s contest was equally well fought.

After trailing, the Wansbeck side turned it around with excellent goals from Cam Gascoigne and Kneeshaw and furthermore Ian Skinner’s depleted outfit deserved another win after totally dominating the second half and playing some superb football.

But the visitors were left totally deflated when Sidik Atcha netted his second of the game with a sublime equaliser for The Nailers two minutes into time added on.

Afterwards Belper celebrated the point as if it was a win whereas Ashington looked on it as being two points dropped.

Skinner travelled with a mere squad of 13 players due to a number of reasons which included a sickness bug in the camp.

The rain which fell an hour before kick off made the pitch at the Raygar Stadium have a bit of zip to it and it was the home outfit who started the better and who took the lead just past the quarter hour mark.

Charlie Exley – who was making his first full start after coming on as a second half substitute and scoring in the 3-2 win at Consett the previous week – had just had a shot pushed out by ‘keeper Daniel Moore following a corner.

But sixty seconds later, the hosts forced a flag kick of their own on the left and when the ball fell to Atcha, he slotted it into the far corner wide of ‘keeper Karl Dryden.

Ashington’s response was positive. Gascoigne passed to Kneeshaw and the striker’s effort was deflected behind.

On the half hour, the Colliers got back on terms.

Ben Sampson floated the ball into the area and when it was headed out, Gascoigne struck a venomous right footer from 16 yards into the roof of the net.

After that, the Colliers pulled the strings and in the 38th minute, it was Belper ‘keeper Moore who denied them the lead when he tipped a right footer from Sampson onto the bar. The rebound fell to Exley who crossed but Paul Van-Zandvliet headed over.

Then on the stroke of half time, Ben Williams found Kneeshaw who played a one-two with Maguire but Moore again intervened to snuff out the danger.

Early doors in the second period, Sampson and Maguire combined to set up Kneeshaw who took the ball past Moore but Belper recovered to block.

In Ashington’s next move, Maguire released Kneeshaw whose shot was cleared off the line but in the 57th minute, they went in front.

Kneeshaw latched onto a through ball played down the left flank and after heading towards goal, expertly side footed wide of Moore and inside the far corner.

On 70 minutes a full blooded drive by Gary Ormston from 20 yards was goalbound until it took a deflection and went behind for a corner then at the other end a strike by Mason Warren flashed wide.

Inside the final ten minutes of the 90 and Ashington – who were spurred on by their supporters who never stopped singing all afternoon – had chances to add a third.

Moore got a touch onto a shot by Kneeshaw which struck the post and bounced out then Gascoigne went through but his effort was blocked by the home stopper.

As the game entered stoppage time, substitute David Gbehe fired wide following a throw in before Atcha curled the ball with the outside of his right foot from just inside the area past the despairing hands of Dryden and into the top corner which left Ashington completely crestfallen.

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Consett vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington bridged an eight year gap on Saturday when they edged out Consett by the odd goal in five with Connor Thomson bagging a late winner.

The venue has never been a happy hunting ground for the Colliers although in more recent times, the two outfits have contested exciting battles – like the 4-4 draw two seasons ago.

Paul Van-Zandvliet gave the Wansbeck side a dream start with a goal inside the first minute before Dan Capewell equalised on the stroke of half time.

With 20 minutes remaining, Charlie Exley came off the bench to restore Ashington’s lead but shortly afterwards Capewell was on hand to level for a second time – before Thomson struck what proved to be the clincher.

Central defender Si Jakab was ruled out with illness and there was a surprise when Nathan Buddle – who has been sidelined for the past two and a half months whilst recovering from two slipped discs – was named in the starting line up.

The Wansbeck side also scaled new heights on Saturday as they completely took control of the first 45 minutes and bossed possession – something which they had not done before at the Belle View Stadium.

The Colliers got off to the best possible start by taking the lead after only 24 seconds.

A quick exchange of passes between Wilson Kneeshaw and Thomson released the former down the right. He cut inside and when his shot was parried across by ‘keeper James Anderson, Van-Zandvliet pounced to slot home the rebound left footed from six yards.

On the quarter hour, Van-Zandvliet had a shot from the edge of the area turned around by Anderson before Consett had their first sniff when Wil Shaw dragged a right footer wide.

The best move of the period came in the 36th minute and ended with a gilt edged opportunity for the visitors. Thomson pulled the ball back but Van-Zandvliet struck his effort well off target.

Ashington ‘keeper Karl Dryden made a brilliant save tipping a Calvin Smith thunderbolt over the bar but in the dying seconds of the half, Dryden pushed the ball out and it fell straight at the feet of Capewell who forced it home.

There was a quiet start to the second half until Thomson had a shot blocked.

On the 65 minutes mark, Ashington manager Ian Skinner made a double change introducing Cam Gascoigne and Charlie Exley.

Within seconds, Gascoigne had an effort held by Anderson then the two substitutes combined with stunning effect with 20 minutes of the 90 remaining.

Buddle headed the ball into the box, Gascoigne laid it off and Exley – playing against his former club – produced a venomous low finish.

However Ashington’s joy was short-lived as within a minute, Consett were level.

They had posed a threat from set plays and corners and following a flag kick on the left, Capewell added his second of the afternoon from close range.

Incredibly, Ben Ramsey was not far away with a 25 yarder before Dryden pulled off excellent saves from substitute Zak Atkinson and Jake Orrell.

At the other end, Thomson linked with Craig Spooner whose cross saw Kneeshaw just fail to connect in front of goal.

But in the 85th minute, Ashington got the winner.

Substitute Darren Lough passed to Thomson and the striker unleashed a power drive from 18 yards which took a deflection to sail over Anderson and dip just under the crossbar.

However, a game which had started in dramatic fashion almost had a late twist as in the second minute of stoppage time Capewell missed out on a chance to complete his hat-trick as he headed just wide.

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Pontefract Collieries vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington earned a point from an hard fought encounter against Pontefract Collieries on Tuesday night.

The Wansbeck side for whom Gary Ormston was outstanding, were ahead 3-1 at the hour mark but couldn’t fend off a strong comeback by the home outfit and eventually had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

For the neutral, the result was a fair reflection of the game especially after a blood and thunder second period – only Ian Skinner’s side left the Hunter’s Stadium disappointed.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the opening quarter of the game.

Ben Sampson was prominent for Ashington in the early stages and he set up the overlapping Craig Spooner in the seventh minute but the full back’s cross was taken by ‘keeper Lloyd Allison at the near post.

At the other end, Pontefract winger Frankie Sinfield was a threat and when he centred the ball from the left, it required a timely interception by Si Jakab to avert the danger.

The Colliers carved out the first clear cut chance in the 26th minute when Wilson Kneeshaw played the ball through to Connor Thomson but he dragged a first time shot wide.

Within a minute, the Colliers were behind – following a hotly disputed penalty award.

Ashington were adamant that the Pontefract player caught Gary Ormston in the area but the referee pointed to the spot and Adam Haw comfortably slotted the ball home.

Visiting ‘keeper Karl Dryden was called into the action on the half hour, diving to his left to hold onto an effort by Jack Boyle then the stopper pushed around a free kick by Connor Smythe.

Ashington finished the half in style as they turned the game on its head with two goals in four minutes.

For the equaliser, the referee played a great advantage after the visitors had shouted for a handball offence as the ball was played through to Kneeshaw on the right. He advanced before drilling a right footer inside the near post.

Then in the final seconds of the half, Thomson raided down the left flank and when he cut the ball back, Paul Van-Zandvliet smashed home a sweetly struck low half volley from 14 yards.

Ten minutes into the second half, Kneeshaw found Dan Maguire whose effort cannoned back into play after hitting the crossbar and Allison blocked the follow up effort by Will Constantin.

On the hour, Kneeshaw – ten yards inside the Pontefract half – latched onto a through ball by Thomson and made a beeline for goal before curling a superb right footer wide of Allison and inside the far post to make it 3-1.

But only four minutes later, the home side reduced the deficit. Boyle’s shot was turned away by Dryden for a corner and from the flag kick, Haw flicked in.

Shortly afterwards, Kneeshaw raided down the left and pulled the ball square for Thomson but he was thwarted by a good tackle by a home defender.

Play switched to the other end and Ashington had a let off when the ball thudded against the bar.

The game was certainly end to end and in the next minute, a 30 yards free-kick by Craig Spooner was heading for the top corner until it was brilliantly tipped over by Allinson.

Boyle fired narrowly off target then with five minutes of the 90 remaining, Pontefract drew level when Louie Chorlton stabbed the ball home.

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Stockton Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington turned in a creditable performance on Saturday against Stockton Town – but a first win still eludes them at the MAP Group UK Stadium.

It’s never been a happy hunting ground for the Colliers on the artificial surface and even though the Wansbeck outfit did well despite a 2-1 loss in the FA Cup clash earlier in the season, their only positive result came several years ago when they earned a draw.

Clearly the table doesn’t lie. The Anchors sit at the top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division holding an eight points lead and are a good, well drilled outfit.

Ashington have upset teams at the top already this campaign and despite last weekend’s 2-1 reverse against Cleethorpes Town, Ian Skinner’s side travelled in good spirits.

However, they trailed in the opening stages when Michael Fowler pounced and although the Colliers were always in the game, the result was sealed nien minutes from time after substitute Tom Portas had unleashed a right foot screamer.

The home side forced an early corner but Ashington’s response saw Ben Sampson find Connor Thomson whose pull back was cleared for a flag kick.

In the seventh minute, Stockton went ahead when a long ball forward released Fowler and the striker clipped his effort over the top of advancing ‘keeper Karl Dryden.

Shortly before the half way mark in the period, Sampson released Wilson Kneeshaw down the right flank and when the number ten crossed low into the danger area, Thomson’s first time effort was blocked at the near post by home ‘keeper Nathan Harker.

Stockton attacked again and a thunderbolt by Shane Henry flashed wide before Dryden dived low to his right to keep out a drive from Sweet.

Sweet had already had a goal ruled out for a foul on Dryden and on the half hour, Fowler headed home from a right wing cross but the effort was disallowed for offside.

The next opportunity fell Ashington’s way when Paul Van-Zandvliet found Craig Spooner but the defender lifted his shot over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, Dryden came to his sides’ rescue keeping out another effort from Fowler with his legs following a cross by Kev Hayes.

The Colliers made a positive start to the second half. Kneeshaw wriggled inside the area but his shot cannoned off Harker’s boot, ballooned into the air and the ‘keeper collected then an effort from Will Constantin was blocked for a corner.

Similarly just past the hour mark, Kneeshaw got to the by line and when he pulled the ball back, Constantin’s drive was again deflected behind.

Ashington had been the dominant side from the first whistle after the resumption and midway through, a 30 yarder by substitute Cam Gascoigne was held by Harker.

Fowler and substitute Portas had efforts blocked by Dryden before the game was settled in the 81st minute when Stockton doubled their advantage.

Following a build up on the right, the ball landed at the feet of Portas who hit an unstoppable effort across Dryden and inside the far corner of the net.

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Cyril Giraud

2024/25 Sponsor: Richardson’s Amusements LTD

A tricky attacker that joins Ashington on a permanent basis for the 2024/25 campaign after making a few appearances for the Colliers last season while on a dual registration with West Allotment Celtic. The young Frenchman started his career at French Third Division side Chateauroux, before being released and moving to England. His former clubs include Newcastle Benfield, Thornaby and Consett.

Ashington vs Cleethorpes Town

By Brian Bennett

Ashington were undone by a ‘bolt out of the blue’ at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday as Cleethorpes striker Harrison Poulter’s 80th minute strike clinched the points for his side in a 2-1 win.

In a second period where clear cut chances were rare, the game appeared to be drifting towards a 1-1 stalemate – when against the run of play a blistering effort by Poulter from 20 yards flew into the net.

Even then, in a game which could have gone either way – but one which arguably neither side deserved to lose – Ashington came close to an equaliser in the final minute of the 90.

Substitute Paul Van-Zandvliet slotted the ball through for Connor Thomson but his shot was cleared off the line.

The visitors started the game being by far the better side and in the sixth minute, they duly opened the scoring with a sublime strike.

Ashington lost the ball in their own half and Curtis Bateson got possession, looked up and curled a right foot shot into the far corner of the net.

However, the Colliers grew into the game and came close to a leveller in the 13th minute.

Thomson and Ben Sampson engineered a one-two on the right and when the latter crossed, Dan Maguire’s left footed goalbound volley was booted off the line by Ben Middleton.

Four minutes later, Karl Ross cut the ball back from the by line but when Maguire set up Sampson, he drove wide of the upright.

Ashington deservedly drew level midway through the period.

Sampson feigned to have a blast at goal then weaved past two defenders before he passed out wide for Maguire whose cross shot was turned in from close range by Thomson.

With defences on top, chances evaporated – until first half stoppage time when Will Annan charged down the right. Ben Williams got back superbly to snuff out a goalscoring opportunity but when Annan rolled the ball back, skipper Alex Flett fired over.

Seven minutes into the second half, Bateson burst through down the left but over hit his cross for Brody Robertson and the chance went begging.

Ashington retaliated with Gary Ormston releasing Wilson Kneeshaw but the forward’s touch let him down as he ran the ball out for a goal kick.

Then midway through the half, Craig Spooner found Ross. The skipper played a superb low diagonal pass through the Cleethorpes defence which only required a finishing touch except no Ashington player was on hand to pounce but even then the ball rolled inches wide of the post.

Bateson twisted inside the area before clipping an effort wide then following a throw in, Kneeshaw released Thomson but he was blocked at the near post.

However less than sixty seconds later, the home crowd were silenced when Poulter let fly to score what proved to be the winner.

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Ashington vs Stocksbridge Park Steels

By Brian Bennett

Darren Lough’s second goal of the season earned Ashington a point from a 1-1 draw against Stocksbridge Park Steels in their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

Credit to groundsman Scott Robson for ensuring that the clash went ahead following the heavy rain but what unfolded was a tough battle on a stamina-sapping pitch with the visitors ending the contest with ten men after Alex O’Connor had been red carded in time added on near the end.

In the first half, there was little to enthuse about with chances at a premium.

Indeed it was the 20th minute before there was a threat on goal. The home side moved the ball across from left to right but Andrew Cartwright’s shot was blocked.

Seven minutes later when Stocksbridge went ahead, even then the goal was a scrappy affair.

Home ‘keeper Ross Coombe dived low to his right to deny Kurtis Turner but from the rebound Jack Watson bundled the ball over the line.

Ashington retaliated with Cartwright finding Ben Sampson who fired wide then a drive by Connor Thomson was tipped away by ‘keeper Harry Garman.

In stoppage time when play switched, Coombe had to be alert to push out a shot from Watson.

The Colliers showed more urgency after the break. Craig Spooner picked the ball up in midfield, ventured out to the left and struck an effort which fizzed across goal.

Within a minute, the visitors had a chance but when the ball fell to O’Connor, he lashed it over the bar.

Shortly afterwards, Ashington pieced together a great move which began with Sampson. He found Spooner whose pass bisected the visitors defence and presented Thomson with a one on one opportunity but his shot was blocked by Garman.

However, in the 65th minute, superb combination play led to an equaliser from Lough.

Gary Ormston and Spooner linked in midfield before the latter played the ball through for Wilson Kneeshaw whose pace took him to the by-line and when he crossed, Lough was on hand to slide home.

Within minutes, Kneeshaw – who had switched flanks – pulled the ball back again but on this occasion, a shot from skipper Karl Ross was blocked.

Ashington went all out for a winner. In the 72nd minute, Cartwright, Sampson and Ross combined but Ross’s cross to the near post was intercepted by Garman.

With time beginning to run out, Cartwright slipped a pass out wide for substitute Dan Maguire whose driven cross was brilliantly headed away from the danger zone by a Stocksbridge defender.

The visitors were looking dangerous on the break and in the dying minutes they almost caught the Colliers out. After a cross from the right, substitute Andrew Ring just failed to connect in front of goal then following a corner, a scramble developed in the home penalty area before the ball was eventually cleared.

In stoppage time, there was a flare up when O’Connor and Ross clashed near the touchline.

Both players received yellow cards from referee Tyler Dutton and as O’Connor had already been cautioned in the first period, the Stocksbridge number four was sent off.

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Grimsby Borough vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Goalkeeper Ross Coombe was the hero of the hour for Ashington as they got back on track to notch their tenth league win of the campaign with a hard fought 2-1 win over Grimsby Borough at the Bradley Football Development Centre on Saturday.

Trailing to Caine Winfarrah’s opener for the home side, Ben Sampson scored his first goal of the season to level before Connor Thomson got what proved to be the winner.

However it took a brilliant penalty save from Coombe to deny Harvey Tomlinson an equaliser with a little more than quarter of an hour of the contest remaining.

Following on from the harsh scoreline of a 4-1 reverse against Dunston UTS the previous week, victory for Ian Skinner’s side in the end was deserved – a result which saw them move up a couple of places into a mid table position in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

But holding the lead, the Colliers frittered away a plethora of chances to add to their tally and were left to battle it out until the final whistle.

Ashington carved out the first opening as Thomson set up Dan Maguire whose left footed effort was deflected narrowly wide.

In truth however, it looked as if the Colliers were going to have their work cut out against ‘The Wilderness Boys’ who although not troubling Coombe, were certainly the better, sharper and slicker outfit during the first quarter hour.

Consequently it came as no surprise when the Lincolnshire outfit went ahead in the 18th minute. They broke down the left flank and when the ball was crossed low into the area, Winfarrah swept it home at the far post.

Cue an impressive response from the away side as they got behind the home defence and struck twice in ten minutes with similar goals to turn the game completely on its head.

Three minutes after going behind, skipper Karl Ross reached the by-line on the right and when he crossed low into the area, Sampson was well placed to slot home.

The Colliers had got to grips with the threat being posed by the home side and indeed it was now the turn of the Grimsby rearguard to back pedal as they struggled to cope with the pace of Wilson Kneeshaw and Thomson up front.

Just past the half hour mark it was the twin strikers who combined to fire their side in front.

Kneeshaw weaved along the by-line and cut the ball back for Thomson who side footed home from close range.

The same combination engineered what was another close call minutes later with Thomson turning provider but Kneeshaw’s effort was cleared off the line.

Just before the interval, Adam Drury blazed narrowly over for Grimsby but the half ended with Ashington missing a glorious opening to extend their lead.

Sampson put the ball through for Kneeshaw but his shot was blocked by ‘keeper Liam Higton.

Ashington came out at the start of the second period with all guns blazing – but could not find that killer touch in front of goal.

Four minutes in and great work on the right by Kneeshaw saw his cross shot flash across the face of the goal then a superb through pass by Maguire sent Kneeshaw through the middle but he was again denied by Higton.

Coombe pushed aside an effort from Sam Topliss before a significant turning point arrived after 73 minutes when Si Jakab sent Edwin Essel tumbling inside the area and referee Gavin Scott pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Tomlinson but Coombe was equal to the kick, diving low to his left to palm the ball away onto the foot of the post.

Ashington squandered further opportunities to give themselves some breathing space.

Thomson and Kneeshaw both had efforts blocked then Ross found Maguire but he dragged his shot wide.

Similarly on 87 minutes, Kneeshaw was again off target but the Colliers – with Ben Williams, Gary Ormston and Jakab outstanding at the heart of the defence – comfortably saw out the remaining time to ensure that the three points came back with them to Wansbeck.

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Ashington vs West Allotment Celtic

By Brian Bennett

An early goal from striker Dan Maguire proved to be the match winner which sent Ashington through to the semi finals of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup on Tuesday night and set the Colliers up for a home clash against Newcastle United Under 23’s or Bedlington Terriers.

Maguire struck in the fifth minute, blasting home the rebound after Connor Thomson’s shot had been parried by Allotment ‘keeper Dan Gladstone.

The tie – which went ahead at the fourth time of asking – had been switched from Palmersville to Ashington but on a bitterly cold evening in Wansbeck, it was a contest which never reached any great heights.

The Colliers missed opportunities to add to their lead which would have given them some much needed breathing space and as the game entered four minutes of stoppage time, they were indebted to ‘keeper Ross Coombe for their progress as he pulled off two brilliant saves.

The visitors from the Ebac Northern League’s first division went into the clash on the back of two excellent away wins against Birtley Town and Redcar Athletic respectively – and they could have made a sensational start.

In the opening minute, Ashington lost possession and Mikel Thompson’s right footed drive smacked against the post and was cleared.

Craig Spooner provided the through pass to Thomson which led to Maguire’s opener and the Colliers could have doubled their lead within 60 seconds when Wilson Kneeshaw was clean through but he failed to get enough purchase on his attempted chip over Gladstone and the stopper was grateful to claim the ball at chest height.

On the quarter hour, another chance went begging when Maguire set up Thomson but his right footer was parried by Gladstone.

Play switched to the other end and after a blistering run down the left from Guilherme Baltazar, the striker cut inside but dragged his shot wide.

The visitors were looking a threat going forward and after a run and cross by Kyle Cockburn, it took an excellent clearance from Ben Williams to snuff out the danger.

In the 34th minute, Thomson raided down the left flank but his cross for the incoming Kneeshaw was fractionally too high and Gladstone intervened.

Then just before the interval, Ashington pieced together the best move of the half which initially involved Morgan Dart, Paul Van-Zandvliet and skipper Karl Ross. The latter found Thomson but his shot missed the far post by millimetres.

Early in the second period, Ashington spurned another couple of openings.

Si Jakab passed to Maguire and when he crossed, Kneeshaw headed wide then Maguire got possession on the right but fired over.

Just past the hour mark, Kneeshaw ran through and rounded Gladstone but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by the retrieving Joshua Stewart before substitute Ben Sampson, Dart and Kneeshaw combined to set up Spooner whose shot was blocked.

The second half had been virtually devoid of chances until the visitors gave a final push in the closing stages.

With three minutes of the 90 remaining, they had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Coombe – before the home ‘keeper was the hero of the hour.

Cyril Giraud burst through into the area and looked a certain scorer until his effort was pushed aside by Coombe who also pulled off a smart save minutes later.

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