Florian Yonsian, Ben Hardcastle and Ryan Senior sealed a comfortable win for Ashton on a damp afternoon in the North as Basford's inconsistencies continue to hinder.

The game started with the hosts on the front foot as the visitors struggled to grow into it early on. The first opportunity fell to Yonsian for the hosts, but his shot was expertly blocked by Stef Galisnki.

The hosts kept possession well as they continued to forge opportunities and break down Basford’s defence. After a decent spell in possession, Basford looked to push forward but could only forge a corner amidst a lack of clear-cut opportunities for either side.

However, it didn’t take long for Ashton to find a way through and it came via an unlikely error.

Adam Collin mishandled and the lively Yonsian reacted first to head home the rebound for Ashton on 22 minutes.

Ashton took the lead in their stride and weren’t looking to settle as they forced another few opportunities that came to very little.

In a rare foray forward, Ryan Wilson's corner was met by Brad Gascoigne's initial header which was saved by Oliver Martin and Rev James’ follow up whistled miles over from a tight angle.

Again, the visitors looked on the back foot in the beginning of the second half and it only took eight minutes for Hardcastle to slot past Collin, after referee Callum Jones played a dubious advantage.

And It didn’t take long for the Ambers to be punished again; Adam Senior this time - two minutes later - finished the chance from a wide area, as Ashton loaded men forward and put the final nail in the coffin on a damp afternoon in Greater
Manchester.

Aaron O’Connor’s volley late on was tipped just wide of the post by Oliver Martin in an end-to-end patch. Collin was also forced into a save to deny Tom Warren.

Substitute Niall Towle also came close for Basford - after his loan spell at Corby ended - and his header flicked over the crossbar from Dom Roma’s cross to sum up a miserable afternoon.

UNITED: Adam Collin, Dom Roma, Ryan Wilson, Brad Gascoigne, Stef Galinski, Declan Dunn (Marcus Marshall 55'), Terry Hawkridge, Matt Thornhill (c), Aaron O'Connor (Niall Towle 65'), Rev James, Kane Richards
SUBS NOT USED: Owen Betts, Alex Howes, Gianni Musson

ATT: 169