Nantwich Town 3 Ashton United 2

NANTWICH Town took another step towards securing an Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off place as they edged out Ashton United on Saturday.

Joe Mwasile and a Mark Lees own goal had them 2-0 up at the break, but Ryan Crowther’s goal for the visitors gave them a foothold in the game.

However, Steve Jones struck late on and the Dabbers held on to clinch the points despite Wayne Riley putting through his own net in injury time.

After an even opening to the game, Phil Parkinson’s side hit the front after 17 minutes when Mwasile latched onto a long ball and calmly lobbed Ashton stopper Luke Pilling.

It took Nantwich just seven minutes to double their lead when Pilling saved an Ibou Touray shot and the resulting corner hit the unfortunate Robins skipper Lees and bounced into the net.

The chances continued to come for the Dabbers, with Pilling have to tip another corner over the bar under pressure from Curtis Jones before Ryan Brooke narrowly failed to connect with an ambitious overhead kick.

Ashton started the second half brightly and pulled a goal back just before the hour mark.

Dabbers stopper Dan Gyollai could not keep hold of a curling effort from Matty Chadwick and Crowthe rburied the rebound.

Brooke then sent a shot just wide for Nantwich before Gyollai prevented Crowther from doubling his tally at the other end.

Substitute Jones then seemingly put the game beyond Ashton when, after being put through on goal, he lifted home his 11th strike of the season.

Riley’s own goal after he deflected home Chadwick’s volley set up a tense finish, but the Dabbers held on for victory.

Parkinson’s side face two home games over Easter as struggling Ilkeston are the visitors on Saturday before play-off rivals Workington arrive on Monday.

Both games kick off at 3pm.