Leaders LR denied win by a last-gasp Ashton strike

Atherton LR had victory snatched away at the death after a tense North West Counties League First Division North affair against Ashton Town on Tuesday night that ended 1-1.

It was a frustrating start for both sides with LR jumping on Town’s inability to deal with the overloaded balls into the box, but also struggling to break down a strong Ashton defence in the final third with Ryan Talbot fronting the attack.

LR kept their attacking tempo high with Joe Bacon breezing past Adam Morris on the left side to launch balls into the box, but some strong defensive work by Ben Lappin and Leon Wright denied the hosts.

After a goalless first half, the second began with a similar tempo as LR launched forward balls in an attempt to find a breakthrough.

The home side were the ones to break the deadlock following a late challenge on Luke Nicholls at the edge of the box. Kyle Robinson-Murray stepped up and slammed his shot into the corner of the net to send LR into the lead

As the end neared, the scrappy Town side were trying hard to find the equaliser, which they almost did when a lofted ball reached Burey, who found himself one-on-one but a tantalising triple save by LR newcomer Jack McGovern denied the visitors the equaliser.

But LR’s defensive luck would eventually run out after a scramble in the box where a ball was cleared off the line and bounced into the path of Kyle Preece, who netted in the 98th minute to send Town fans mental.

Following the game, Lr boss Dave Jones felt it was like two points lost than one gained but in reality a draw was a fair outcome.

He said: “It probably does feel like that [two points dropped] right at the end with the late goal, but if you asked anyone here tonight they’d agree that a point was probably a fair result.

“We won’t get too low on that, we’ve scored a few late ones ourselves, but credit to Ashton Town for going the full length and earning a point.”

LR travel to struggling Garstang next on Saturday looking to continue their unbeaten form in the league (3pm).

They remain five points clear of second-placed Nelson at the top of the table.