REPORT: ASHTON UNITED 1-0 UNITED

10-man United went down 1-0 away at Ashton United on Tuesday night as Shaun Newton scored the only goal of the game early in the second half after Brad McGowan was harshly dismissed.

The home side controlled the majority of the possession - aiming to reverse their 5-0 drubbing on opening day at Workington - and had a deuce of chances in the first half.

Dan Cowan stung the hands of Kieran Preston after just four minutes before Louis Potts rattled the crossbar with 27 minutes played.

But the turning point came when a high ball - challenged fairly by McGowan - saw him innocuously collide with Potts who remained floored, apparently under an alleged elbow.

Referee Tom Swift made no hesitation in sending the defender off, immediately reaching for his back pocket to swiftly brandish the card.

Level at the break, but down a man, United had to be at their best defensively to prevent both Potts' rash strike across the post before the forward was again denied by Preston at his near stick.

The ever-lively Jono Wafula nearly put the visitors ahead with a header from Matt Thornhill's free-kick that bounced inches beyond the post but only minutes later it was Ashton that took the lead.

A deep corner to the back post was recycled and former Notts County man Newton buried home with a well-taken volley with Preston a mere spectator.

Late pressure yielded a few chances for United to snatch a point. Firstly, substitute Brodie Litchfield nearly capitalised on a mistake by the Luke Simpson in home goal, only to be ruled offside.

And a late, late Hail Mary set piece caused panic, but neither Peter Dearle or Zayn Hakeem could find the finishing touches.

Next up, we travel to boss Steve Kittrick's former side in Guiseley AFC on Saturday (3pm).

UNITED: Preston, Bowman, Dearle, McGowan, Roma, Angell, Ritzema, Thomas (Hakeem 76), Thornhill (Cartwright 69'), Campbell (Thomas 76'), Wafula
SUBS (not used): Davidson, Wakefield

ATT: 232 [10 away]