Ashton saved a 71st minute Danny Griggs penalty to cap a brilliant display in the first round qualifying tie and ensure the UniBond League premier division sides do battle again at Gigg Lane on Wednesday (7.45pm).
And with new full-backs Danny Warrender and Simon Garner shoring up a defence that has been creaking of late, Marginson was satisfied with the clean sheet.
"Sam was excellent," said Marginson. "People have said he was at fault for some goals we have conceded lately, me included, but his save in the first-half was world-class and the penalty save earned us a replay.
"For me he's one of the best, if not the best, keeper in this league and his attitude is first-class.
"And for the new full- backs to come in and play as well as they did in their first game tells you a lot about them.
"Danny was top-class dealing with a winger like Griggs, who is one of the best in this league, and you could tell Simon has been playing with clubs like Stalybridge and Fleetwood."
Ashton pulled off three saves of high quality, the last one from Griggs' spot kick, while at the other end defender Adam Turner headed a glorious chance over the bar and Jerome Wright's teasing cross was turned onto his own crossbar by Dave Tickle.
The Dabbers ended up holding out for the last 15 minutes with ten men after Peter Heler was red-carded for two bookable offences against Garner.
FC are still awaiting international clearance for 19-year-old Gambia Under-20 international Kebba Bah, set to sign for the club after moving to Manchester with his German wife.
Jamie Baguley left the ground on crutches after suffering a knee cartilage tear, but brother Chris a is a ready-made replacement for Wednesday's replay.
Marginson wants his team to be bolder when they get a sight of goal on Wednesday against a big, experienced defence which has former Macclesfield centre-half Darren Tinson as its kingpin.
"One disappointment was that we didn't work the keeper enough," said Marginson.
"Adam Turner is a young lad and you don't expect him to come up with the winning goal, but he was in a great position to win it with the header he put over.
"The replay will be tight again. If anyone had scored on Saturday I think that would have been enough to win the game and it will be no different in the replay." Tweet
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Judai
Sam Ashton is a class keeper who at 21 can only get better he can play outfield as well and is good in the tackle as well a rare combo for a keeper.IMO FCUoM are lucky to have Sam and with the new look defence he will help make sure we get something out of more league games. These FA cup games should give the new defence chance to bed in. Up the Reds!
The FA Cup is a competition rich with history. For United supporters it has more memories than for most: it's a trophy that has seen some of our greatest performances; our most cherished victories; it was our only source of achievement throughout the 80s; and, at the City Ground in 1990, it saved some fairly important bacon.
Pre-2005 it would have been unlikely any United supporter would think of watching any form of 'United' in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup. But here we are nevertheless, on Wednesday 17th September FC United will play our first FA Cup home tie - the replay following the 0-0 stalemate with Nantwich on Saturday.
Our prize should we win is a home tie with FC Halifax Town, formerly Torpey-pinching Conference side now demoted to a newly formed club competing in the Unibond First Division North.
But first we must deal with Nantwich. We're currently three matches away from the possibility of facing a league side, five matches from the third round. The dreamers amongst us will be idling the work hours away thinking of FC making it to the second round, and United winning the cup. This way we'll be able to watch 'United', in one form or another, in every round of the cup. Knocking Leeds out en-route would add a cherry on the icing on the cake. Which, if memory serves, was Gary Pallister's goal against Blackburn at the end of the 93 season.
Usual admission prices apply, £7.50 adults, £5 concessions and £2 under 18s. As this is a cup match, season tickets are not valid for entry. Kick off is 7.45pm and we're on the march with Margy's Army!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Supporters attending future matches at Gigg Lane, are advised to be aware of new parking restrictions in place around the ground. Unless you are a or a visitor invited by one of the residents with a permit, parking is banned between 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday on: Grosvenor Street, Nelson Street, Devon Street, Horne Street, Brierley Street, Richmond Street, Walker Street, Wellington Street, Parkhills Road (the Pack Horse end) Market Street (from the cemetery to the athletics track). There are already matchday parking restrictions on Gigg Lane and parts of Market Street. However, we can now park at St Luke's primary school, each car is charged £3 with all monies raised going to club funds.
Please stop pretending this is good footie. It is terrible to watch. FC should offer a promotion lottery to have a "supporter player" enter the match in the latter stages of the match each week. They have the drawing at the half time, the supporter signs a contract and enters the match in the 88th minute. It would be just like Maine Road, which is about as important as this team realistically could become. I know the Board thinks this club could become something more, but that is more of a pipe dream. I wonder how long the rats will follow the piper.
If only to emphasize my point about this pub club. They are sponsoring a "POKER NIGHT". No joke my mates. Not a punch line. I think I will wait for "Darts Night" or "Billiards Night".
Your point being..... Get yourself to a match Dash. You'll love it. Or the poker night and you can contribute to the development fund in the process.
phil m, Cumbria this Dash Walney (childish anagram of Andy Walsh) aka Tommy Tampa won't be going anywhere. Tommy Tampa is not even a football fan. He is a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan who, lip a trembling, can't cope with all those nasty United fans who stuck two fingers up to his glazers hero's. The irony is Bucs fans are now getting the same treatment as United fans with a 30% increase in ticket prices. You should check out their forum they are livid. But as for Tommy, it really couldn’t have happened to a more deserving individual (lol) - unlike a mate of mine who told me this morning that despite reassurances League Cup tickets would be cheaper for OT this year he has just been charged £45 (for a ticket for what amounts to a reserves game). Not funny at all.
Phil, despite the delusional ramblings of Free Read, I indeed have been to a match, several in fact. I have brought the kiddies and we enjoyed ourselves. But I was a non-league supporter before FC. I am also an avid MUFC supporter and have been since a lad. I think if certain persons (cough . . Free Read) would take the footie for what it is and enjoy themselves instead of being bitter and comparing the FC experience to something it is not, we would all be better off. FC has too many jester-hat types and not enough real non-league types.
Looks like Free Red pressed the 'expose the fakers button'