ASHTON continued their fine start to the season with their third win in four outings and their second successive away win.

A double from Congo-born striker, Marlin Piana, secured the points at Watnall Road, after the home side had taken the lead with a spectacular volley from Deon Meikle.

Both sides created early chances as Ian Bennett shot wide and headed straight at Danial Haystead, while at the other end, Tyeisse Nightingale headed across goal when well placed and Laurie Wilson then curled a free kick off target.

The opening goal came in the 24th minute when Meikle spectacularly volleyed Terry Hawkridge’s cross beyond Terry Smith.

Iain Howard had an effort blocked and Bennett saw a shot go just wide for the Robins, who saw Smith deny Lee Whittington and Joe Ward at the other end.

The equaliser came a couple of minutes before the break as Piana glanced a header past Haystead.

Less than a minute had gone in the second half when Piana struck again, taking advantage of some hesitant defending to win possession at the edge of the penalty area, before calmly slotting the ball past Haystead.

Matty O’Neill fired narrowly over as Ashton began to exert pressure on the hosts and could have taken the game away from them.

O’Neill glanced a header onto the roof of the Hucknall net before the home side rallied in the final 20 minutes,

Despite enjoying lengthy spells of possession, they failed to produce a final ball that would unlock the Ashton defence.

In the final minute of normal time, substitutes Ryan Moore and Gareth Richards worked an opening that almost led to a third goal, but the home defence managed to clear the danger.

There were no further scares at the opposite end and Ashton travelled back up the motorway with another three points in the bag.

Attendance: 231

Bryan Marshall

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