Midweek round-up: Away defeats for Robins and Tigers

Ashton United came back from Staffordshire empty handed on Tuesday night as their former player, Louis Potts, inspired hosts Leek Town to a 2-0 victory. 

The forward was instrumental on the night, firing the home side into the lead on 19 minutes before turning provider for Tunde Owolabi to steer in a debut goal just hours after joining from Stalybridge Celtic. 

The Robins had chances to score on the night, and even had the ball in the net early on after Enock Lusiama turned home, only for the forward to be denied by the flag. 

The defeat leaves Steve Cunningham’s side 11th in the NPL Premier table. 

"It's tough to take, because I think we played quite well," said player assistant manager Sean Newton following the defeat. 

"I thought we dominated the majority of the game without really hurting them in their box, which is all that matters at the end of the day.

"That's been the frustration of the last six or seven games, that when we're on top and get chances, we're not taking them.

"At the minute we're just struggling to find that rhythm and consistency."

Elsewhere, Hyde United suffered their second straight defeat, with hosts Hednesford Town picking up a narrow 2-1 victory. 

Despite a positive start, which saw Jack Redshaw clip the post, the Tigers found themselves trailing by two at the break. 

Dominic McHale curled the home side in front on 14 minutes, before Joss Labadie turned in from close range just past the half hour mark. 

But Martin Coyne’s side found a response soon after half time, with Lewis Rawsthorn tapping home his third goal in two games to halve the deficit. 

Despite a late fightback, the Tigers were unable to find an equaliser and headed back to Hyde empty handed. 

“How we’ve not come away from that game with something I’ll never know," said a frustrated Martin Coyne at full-time.

“But I’ll go back to Saturday, we’ve given two cheap goals away again, and we can’t give cheap goals away and expect to come away with points.”