Man of the match Mason helps Curzon to superb win

Curzon Ashton made the perfect start to Craig Mahon’s permanent reign at the weekend, with a statement win away to the league's second-placed club Scunthorpe United.

In front of a crowd of 3519, the hosts made a strong start to proceedings, dominating the early stages.

The first real chance for The Iron came on 15 minutes when George Waring gave away a foul in a dangerous position, but defender Michael Kelly was unable to hit the target from the resulting free kick, with the ball sailing just over the upright.

The home side were then denied an opener after a fine piece of goalkeeping from Cam Mason kept out Danny Whitehall’s low effort.

Scunthorpe were made to rue these missed chances just after the half-hour mark when Curzon took the lead through former Iron Jimmy Spencer, who flicked Will Hayhurst’s free-kick into the top left corner and gave the keeper no chance.

The hosts then almost came back with an instant reply when Jacob Butterfield’s free kick from the edge of the area clipped the outside of Cam Mason’s left post.

An inspired second-half defensive display from visitors Curzon meant they restricted their opponents to very few chances, with the best of the bunch falling to Danny Whitehall 15 minutes from time, but with the goal gaping the forward could only lift his header over the crossbar- a huge let off for The Nash.

In the final minute of the game, the away side had their goalkeeper to thank once again, with Mason sprawling down to his left to deny the hosts a late equaliser through Danny Elliot’s back post header.

A heroic second-half performance from Curzon’s number one capped off what was an unbelievable result for Craig Mahon’s side, who moved up to fourth in the National League North table following the victory.