Ashton Utd 2 Stafford Rangers 1

A second half turnaround by the home side saw them to their third successive 2-1 league victory against basement club Stafford.

Sean Newton was back in the home defence as Ashton took to the Hurst Cross pitch for the first time since early November and the action opened with Rangers' winger Sam Bird firing in a low effort which Luke Simpson saved at the second attempt.

Leitch-Smith's flick then saw Sean Cooke hammer an effort off target as the visitors made the brighter start but on 25 minutes a mistake in midfield saw James Hardy sprint away before setting up Jason Gilchrist who shot across the face of goal. 3 minutes later Rangers took the lead as a throw in led to a loose ball falling to Simon Njaria who fired it unerringly into the bottom corner and ten minutes before the break Mitchell Rose won a block tackle setting up Gilchrist for a low shot which deflected to Nathan Lowe whose shot went over the top.

In added time at the end of the half Bernardo Couto's left wing cross saw Gilchirst's header bring a fine save out of Cameron Belford. James Hardy made a great run at the start of the second period before steering his effort over after Newton had won the ball and after Cooke had been booked for handball Couto's free kick was just too strong for Sam Baird to reach it at the far post.

On the hour Leith-Smith's cross was just blocked at the near post following a quick break but 4 minutes later Lowe collected Jake Charles' near post cross and provided a fine left foot equaliser. 15 minutes later a throw in saw Charles cut inside and see his shot saved with Hardy helping home the rebound close in to jubilant scenes from the home fans. With the game still open a right wing cross deflected just too far ahead of Kaiman Anderson and Cooke's tumbling attempt was held by Simpson.

Simpson again needed to be alert to deny Leitch-Smith at the near post from point blank range and the action ended with Charles' shot on the turn blocked from Luke Burke's overlapping cross.