KENDAL Town's home campaign in the Evo-Stik Premier League came to an end with a 3-1 defeat against Ashton United.

Town took the lead on 17 minutes when Kevin Leadbetter gambled on a defensive header back to the keeper.

Leadbetter got to the ball before keeper Terry Smith and chipped it over him to put Town 1-0 to the good.

Ashton responded well before the break and Marc Joseph had to be alert to prevent Ian Bennett getting a shot away on 24 minutes.

On the half hour mark Danny Wisdom twisted his knee as he attempted to prevent a throw in and had to be replaced by teenager Rylen Knowles.

Seven minutes later Town should have doubled the lead when Danny Williams broke to the byline and crossed for Gary McEvatt but the striker could only direct his shot at keeper Smith.

And Town were made to pay with the last kick of the first half when Bennett found space in the middle of the park and hit an unstoppable strike to the top corner.

Visitors Ashton flew out of the traps in the second half and took the lead on 47 minutes when Aaron Burns collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned his marker and struck to the bottom right corner, with Craig Dootson stranded.

Just six minutes later Ashton moved 3-1 ahead when Burns grabbed his second of the game by heading home a corner from close range.

Joseph headed off the post on 69 minutes as Town tried to get back into the game, but just a minute later Ashton should have put the game beyond doubt.

Dootson hesitated with a clearance and was robbed by Burns who crossed to the middle, but there was no incoming player to make the score 4-1.

As it was though, Town struggled to create further efforts and went down 3-1.

On Tuesday Town travel to Buxton before finishing the season against Stocksbridge Park Steels next weekend.

HOW THEY RATED: Craig Dootson 6, Rory Winters 7, Danny Wisdom 7 (rep Rylen Knowles 30mins 7), Jordan Tucker 7, Marc Joseph 6, Ashley Dunn 6, Adam Farrell 6, Ciaran Donnelly 6 (rep Alex Taylor 46mins 6), Gary McEvatt 6 (rep Mark Jackson 65mins), Kevin Leadbetter 7, Danny Williams 7.

STAR MAN: Rylen Knowles - Teenager took to his role in defence well after Wisdom's injury. Mature performance.

Att: 133