Two goal lead pegged back (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Two goal lead pegged back

9:14am Friday 4th April 2008 in Sport By Dennis Aris

IN-FORM Kendal Town had to settle for a draw on Tameside following an open and entertaining contest against Ashton United.

In the wake of Town's emphatic home success against Marine, it appeared the 50 band of loyal supporters were going to witness another goal feast as first-half strikes from player- manager Lee Ashcroft and winger Paul Byrne saw Kendal take a more than comfortable two- goal lead into the interval.

As it was, the relegation-threatened hosts hit back with a spirited second-half show to level up the scores and both sides could have made the game their own with late chances.

Kendal had looked edgy at the back in the opening minutes, but fortunately Ben Deegan failed to capitalise on a misjudged back-pass from town captain Tony Hallam.

Kendal took the lead in the seventh minute thanks to an opportunist close-range strike from Ashcroft.

Byrnes' lofted centre was headed by Carl Osman and the home keeper could only help the ball on to the cross bar and Ashcroft pounced on the loose ball to score.

Ashton United 2 -

Kendal Town 2.

As the hosts looked short of inspiration in the final third, Town went on to double their lead.

Ashcroft released Byrne and the classy wide man showed composure before netting with a precise low shot into the bottom corner.

It all started to go wrong for Kendal on the hour mark as they were contemplating making a change. Ashton's top scorer Ian Fitzpatrick produced a goal from nothing as he unleashed a 25-yard curling shot beyond David Newnes and into the top corner and before Kendal had time to confirm their substitution, the revitalised hosts struck again when centre-back Matthew Flynn headed in from six yards pegging it back to 2-2.

But as the driving rain came, both sides went after all three points and Ashton survived a couple of frantic goalmouth incidents where Kendal struck the woodwork on at least two occasions, and also had good efforts blocked by resolute defending.

In the dying moments Ashton's Fitzpatrick saw a curling shot just miss the upright.

HOW THEY RATED: Newnes 7, Murphy 7 (Mulvaney 70min, 6), Standley 7 (Warburton 80min, 6), Hallam 7, Melling 7, Cole 7, Osman 7, Kilford 7, Ashcroft 7 (Fildes 67min, 6), Arnison 7, Byrne 9. Att: 148.

L Star man - Paul Byrne - another classy display from the supporters' favourite.