Weekend football round-up: Nash snatch late win at South Shields

A controversial 97th minute Will Hayhurst penalty saw Curzon Ashton over the line in a 2-1 win at South Shields in the National League North.

The Nash piled on the early pressure, with Jimmy Spencer, Jordan Richards and Hayhurst all having chances before Luke Griffiths scored from the edge of the box with 17 minutes on the clock. 

A man of the match performance by Curzon keeper Bobby Jones kept the Mariners at bay until the 94th minute, when Will Jenkins thought he’d rescued a point for the hosts with a shot that cannoned in off the far post.  

However, Curzon had just enough time to force a corner at the other end, from which the referee awarded Marcus Poscha a contentious penalty. 

“I didn’t see it clearly,” Curzon player-manager Craig Mahon told the club’s YouTube channel after the game. “I don’t know if it was a penno or not, but I know that if you’re in my position you’re delighted, but if you’re in the South Shields manager’s position you’re fuming. 

“I couldn’t see what actually happened, but we’re not going to tell the referee that it’s not a penno. If he gives it, he gives it, but I think we got a bit lucky.” 

Three of our sides were in FA Cup action yesterday, but it’s only Mossley who will join Ashton United and Hyde United in the hat for Monday’s First Qualifying Round draw. 

Even then, the Lilywhites will need to go again on Wednesday night after being held to a goalless draw at Seel Park by Bradford-based Eccleshill United. 

Stalybridge Celtic’s lightning start to the season came to a halt at Bower Fold, with Widnes progressing to the next round courtesy of a late strike by substitute Sharif Deans. 

Jack Tinning came closest for Bridge when his first-half header rattled the bar, with manager James Kinsey conceding they lost to the better side. 

“We didn’t deserve anything from the game. They out-worked us, we looked leggy, and that’s probably on me. 

“They made five changes from Tuesday night, but we went very similar – the idea behind that was to build a bit of momentum. We had an opportunity right at the end to nick an equaliser, but it would’ve been a robbery.” 

Glossop North End also bowed out of the competition for another year, going down to a late 2-1 home defeat against West Didsbury & Chorlton. 

Lewis Reilly gave the Hillmen a 6th minute lead, following a nod-down from a long freekick. 

It was a lead they held until Victor Abadaki levelled on 58 minutes, before the striker – who also netted against Glossop on the opened day of the league campaign - settled the tie with another effort four minutes from time.  

In the Northern Premier League, after waiting 19 years to beat Bamber Bridge away earlier in the week, Hyde United repeated the feat by coming away from Matlock Town with three points for the first time since 2003. 

A rare Joel Amado goal gave the Tigers an early advantage, before captain Jack Redshaw weighed in with his first hat-trick for the club in the second half. 

The Gladiators pulled back a late consolation, but the 4-1 win lifts Nick Spooner’s side into fourth place on seven points. 

Ashton United are one place back with the same points tally after a gritty win over a resolute Gainsborough Trinity. 

Although Jason Gilchrist stole the show with his four-goal haul in the miraculous midweek comeback at Warrington Rylands, it was his strike partner Darius Osei who scored the winner on the stroke of half-time. 

“We thought if we could get seven points out of the first three games it’d be a fantastic return,” Robins boss Steve Cunningham told the club’s YouTube channel. “It was a really professional performance. 

“I think 1-0 was a fair result. I thought we were the better team, and the way we defended without Sam Baird [who was taken ill on the morning of the match], all the lads stood up to the test.” 

In the North West Counties, two injury time goals – including a penalty to complete a Caelan Kilheeney hat-trick – handed Droylsden a dramatic 5-3 win in a topsy-turvy game at AFC Blackpool. 

Ben Lowe and Kyle Wych scored the other two goals to leave the Bloods just one point behind First Division North leaders, Holker Old Boys. 

In the First Division South, it looked like Will Shawcross’s 83rd minute goal had given New Mills all three points at Market Drayton Town, before an even later Jack Finney goal from the spot clawed back a 1-1 draw for the hosts. 

The Millers lie in fourth place, but Chris Baguley’s side have the best defensive record in the division with just five goals conceded in their opening seven games. 

Midweek fixtures (all Tuesday 7:45pm kick-offs unless otherwise stated): 

Ashton United v Bamber Bridge 
Curzon Ashton v Oxford City 
Droylsden v Ashton Athletic 
Eccleshill United v Mossley (Wednesday, 7:45pm) 
Hyde United v Basford United 
New Mills v Foley Meir 
Padiham v Glossop North End 
Stalybridge Celtic v Wythenshawe Town