Ashton Athletic 4 Barnoldswick Town 2

BARNOLDSWICK Town surrendered a two-goal lead in a match played in testing conditions.

Only the determined efforts of the Ashton groundstaff and officials enabled the game to go ahead.

Town adapted quickest to the conditions and went ahead after eight minutes when Ben Gorman scored from the penalty spot.

The lead was extended after 22 minutes when striker John Beckwith scored from a goalmouth scramble.

Ashton quite literally weathered the early storm and took control of the game with three goals in 11 minutes.

Sam Bailey capitalised on Paul Watson’s good work for the first goal before Danny Smith netted the rebound after Isaac Kusaloka’s shot hit a post.

Town were on the back foot and fell behind when the lively Danny Regan shrugged off a tackle before crossing for Paul Watson to smash home.

Heavy rain started to fall at half-time making the going even tougher for the two teams.

The only goal of the second half came 15 minutes from time when Luke Holden headed home Bailey’s corner.