Ashton United 2 Nantwich Town 1

DABBERS fell to their first defeat of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division campaign as they went down to a late Tom Baker goal at Ashton United.

Baker, who had earlier given The Robins the lead before Sean Cooke equalised for Nantwich, ran clear as Jimmy Quinn’s men searched for a winner having held a man advantage after Craig Robinson’s 67th minute red card.

Nantwich started brightly and went close to breaking the deadlock on 15 minutes when Cooke, who was a threat throughout, beat two United defenders before forcing a save from Terry Smith in the Ashton goal.

But missed chances proved costly for Quinn’s men, as Baker’s innocuous shot from 25 yards took a wicked bounce and deceived Jonny Brain in the Dabbers goal to give the hosts the lead.

The Dabbers equalised on the hour mark, as miscommunication between Smith and Ashton captain Chris Lynch was pounced upon by Cooke to give the visitors hope.

That was until the killer blow was dealt three minutes from time, as a counter by substitute Aaron Burns allowed Baker to hammer home and break Nantwich hearts.

Nantwich Town 1 Ilkeston FC 0

SEAN Cooke’s 55th minute strike proved to be enough for Dabbers against the win-less Ilkeston at Weaver Stadium.

Dabbers were quickest out of the blocks and should have taken the lead after just 40 seconds, only for Kyle Wilson prodded Lewis Short’s cross wide.

Cooke was lively throughout and went close on the half-hour as he cut in from the right and smashed a left-footed effort wide.

Brain came to Nantwich’s rescue as half-time approached with two brave saves, first from Gary Ricketts and then from Jamie Clarke, who wasted Ilkeston’s best chance of the half.

Nantwich started the second half brightly and after Fraser McLachlan and Mark Beesley had gone close, Cooke broke the deadlock.

The ex-Crewe Alex man hammered into Chris Martin’s bottom right-hand corner, leaving the former Port Vale stopper with no chance and Nantwich with all three points.after just 40 seconds.