After a goalless first half Jack Thomas scored twice to give Basford a two-goal lead. Ashton skipper Josh Thomas scored from the penalty spot on 69 minutes before substitute Courey Grantham restored Basford’s two goal cushion. In the 91st minute Gianluca Havern turned the ball home to make it 3-2 as Basford held on for all three points

Basford United made two changes from the side that were beaten 3-0 away to Radcliffe Borough. Brad Gascoigne and Kane Richards came into the line-up in replace of Ryan Wilson and Grantham who dropped to the bench.

The hosts had two good early chances either side of Aaron Smith’s curling effort, that was wide of the goal, as Stef Galinski flicked a header over the bar before Ash Worsfold had an effort saved at the near post.

The game hit a period where neither side offered any real attacking threat. Smith’s driven run lacked an effort and up the other end Worsfold was unable to get a shot off as he was challenged just as he looked to pull the trigger.

The forward then saw his header at the back post held by Jon Worsnop in the Ashton goal before his opposite number Steven Tames headed over the bar.

The clock ticked down with both sides struggling to keep the ball as the half-finished goalless.

The second half started with Thomas latching on to a loose ball and driven forward but he was unable to get a shot away. Up the other end Ben Hardcastle forced Kieran Preston into a stop at his near post and from the resulting corner Basford have to clear the ball off the line.

In the 54th minute the dead lock was broken. Thomas found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box and was able to turn in Liam Bateman’s cross.

Thomas had a second in the 66th minute when his driven effort was too powerful for Worsnop as the ‘keeper could only turn it into the roof of the net. Straight from the restart the visitors were back in the game. Captain Josh Wilson scoring from the penalty spot.

Worsnop continued to be the busier of the two ‘keepers as he was forced into action to keep out Grantham after Bateman’s cross was deflected into the path of the substitute. There was nothing the ‘keeper could do about Grantham’s next chance. The forward was slipped through on goal and with just Worsnop to beat he calmly slotted into the corner of the net.

In the 91st minute Havern turned in a corner to set up a nervy finish but the hosts hung on to end a run of three games without a win.

Staring XI: 1- Preston, 2- Bateman, 3- Keane (Wilson), 4- Thornhill, 5- Gascoigne, 6- Galinski, 7- Richards (Reid), 8- Chettle. 9- Worsfold, 10- Watson (Grantham), 11- Thomas

UP NEXT: AWAY vs Warrington Town
14/12/2019
Kick-off 3:00PM