FC United 3
Curzon Ashton 2

CURZON missed a golden chance to catch up with FC United in the North West Counties League as they twice surrendered the lead and ultimately ended with no points.

They took a sixth minute lead when Dave Birch's free kick was touched home by Steve Moore, an advantage that was preserved five minutes later when Steven Clegg cleared Stuart Rudd's lob off the line.

Mike Norton volleyed just wide and Dave Swarbrick was off target as Curzon continued to lead at half-time.

It was FC United who drew first blood in the second half when the ball was cleared to Gary Sampson who drilled an 18-yarder into the bottom corner.

Curzon did not let their heads drop though and retook the lead on 58 minutes when Moore beat his man before chipping the advancing Sam Ashton.

However, FC United replied almost immediately when Sampson scored his second after a build-up involving Rudd and Jerome Wright.

Chris Worsley's effort went inches wide for Curzon who fell behind on 61 minutes when Rudd stabbed home from six yards after Dave Fish had saved from Rory Patterson.

Fish kept Curzon in the game when saving Alex Mortimer's penalty, but they were unable to equalise as they suffered their first defeat since September.