STEETON saw the good vibes from their shock 2-0 win over South Liverpool at the weekend punctured on Tuesday night.

They were back in North West Counties Football League First Division North action against visiting Ashton Town, looking to move 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Instead, that gap remains at a rather nervy seven, as promotion-chasing Ashton left Marley with a 2-0 win, in a game that was getting away from Steeton even before Ben McCready was dismissed on the hour mark.

Ashton were the better side in the early stages, and it was no surprise when Ryan Jennings headed them in front from Leon Wright’s cross after 17 minutes.

The experienced Toby Jeffrey limped off injured for Steeton around the half-hour mark, and only some brave defending from the likes of Josh Kaine, Ryan Firth and Alfie Gibbon kept Ashton’s lead to a single goal at the break.

Keighley News: Captain Josh Kaine (second left) had to be at his best to keep the score down against a rampant Ashton Town on Tuesday night.Captain Josh Kaine (second left) had to be at his best to keep the score down against a rampant Ashton Town on Tuesday night. (Image: Ian Meachin.)

Firth came close to equalising for the Chevrons with a fierce strike just after the interval, but instead Ashton went 2-0 up on 56 minutes, following the award of a soft penalty when marauding right-back Jack Hatton went down in the box.

Conor Ready fired home the spot-kick to double Ashton’s advantage, and the game realistically ended as a contest when McCready was deemed to have been reckless in his 50-50 challenge with Adam Morris, and was handed a straight red card.

James Catlow made a good save from substitute George Lomax to stop Ashton making the score 3-0, but a battling Steeton did create a couple of late chances of their own, only for visiting stopper James McClenaghan to keep them both out.

Steeton go again in the league this Saturday at home to another high-flying side, Atherton LR.