Barnoldswick Town 2 Ashton Athletic 2

BARNOLDSWICK Town were thwarted in their bid to avenge two early-season defeats by Ashton Athletic in an entertaining clash at the Silentnight Stadium on Tuesday night.

Ashton started the better, Elliott Firth at the back for Town charging down a fierce shot from Joel Brownhill after two minutes when it looked certain he would score.

The visitors had the next chance after15 minutes when Paul Watson had his shot from the edge of the penalty area saved by Jordan Gidley.

Town’s first chance came after 22 minutes when John Beckwith was put through but he delayed his shot and the defence cleared.

Chances were falling on a regular basis, Isaac Kusaloka looked like he was in but Arley Barnes made a great last-ditch tackle to clear the ball away from danger.

At the other end Mark Threlfall looked to be through but he too failed to get a shot away.

Town did take the lead after 33 minutes when Ben Gorman played a glorious ball over the Ashton defence to Beckwith who ran on and beat Martin Pearson in the Ashton goal.

Ashton's Mark Kelly almost put through his own goal when he sliced a clearance and his side went straight up the other end to equalise.

The Town defence failed to clear the ball allowing Daniel Regan to curl a great shot into the top left corner of Gidley’s net.

The visitors took the lead two minutes into the second half when Joel Kusaloka crossed for Brownhill to score at the near post.

The lead was short lived. Michael Woodvine scoring from ten yards out through a ruck of players.

Barnes denied Kusaloka with another timely tackle while Gidley had to palm away an Alex Ashby shot.

Shaun Airey went close with a header and Harry Thompson had a shot saved before Kusaloka went close for Ashton.

There were chances for both sides in the final minutes of a thoroughly entertaining game.