Coker leaves it late to down Celtic

NPL Premier Division: Ashton United 2-1 Stalybridge Celtic

Another grandstand finish at Hurst Cross saw the hosts home courtesy of a second late winner from new centre half Ekow Coker.

The game turned on a second half penalty awarded after Florian Yonsian was adjudged to have been impeded by Keenan Quansah with the centre forward tucking the spot kick away confidently.

The visitors had the better of the first period and Sam Mclintock sliced a decent opportunity over from Justin Johnson’s throw in before Jay Fitzmartin forced Greg Hartley into a fine tip over from Callum Harris’s lay off.

Raul Correia forced Hartley into another decent stop with his foot before the pressure told and Harris got the better of Harry Spratt out wide and provided a cross which Connor O’Grady slid in from close range.

Just beforehand a chipped pass from Michael Brewster sent Yonsian into the area where he left foot effort had insufficient pace and 10 minutes before the break Sheridan’s long pass saw Tom Bentham put his attempt into the side netting.

O’Grady could have registered again as he headed Fitzmartin’s delivery over from the 6 yard box and on the interval McLintock’s volley brought a good low save out of Hartley after a throw in.

The second period opened with a scramble in the area which led to Fitzmartin side-footing wide from a great position and a three against one break saw Lufudu eventually crowd out Fitzmartin.

Following the equaliser the Robins move forward with more purpose and Harry Coates header from Hartley’s long free kick saw Yonsian just fail to connect in front of goal and a long cross saw Hughes fail to clear with Brewster lobbing the loose ball over.

Bentham was again foiled at the near post but in the last minute Ashton won a corner which saw Cole Lonsdale’s delivery headed goalwards by Jack Redshaw with the rebound falling for Coker to poke home.