From the online version of the Warrington Guardian
JUST when it looked like Town were heading for a third successive 0-0 draw
at home, captain Andy Tague provided much-needed inspiration. The midfielder took on the
heart of the Ashton defence, danced around one tackle and was then tripped by fiery left
back Ken Muir in the box to earn his side a 72nd minute penalty.
Striker Jed Bushell stepped up to thump the ball home and earn Town's passage to the first
round of the North Western Trains League Cup. Ironically, earlier in the game Ashton had a
penalty shout turned down after it looked as though Dave Pick had handled the ball in his
own area. Until Bushell's goal the game had 0-0 written all over it and looked to be
heading towards extra-time. Then it was as if Bushell's strike had authorised a licence to
score as there was excitement aplenty.
Ashton striker Neil Lloyd missed an open goal when he dabbed the ball on to the post after
a goalmouth scramble. It was the only time that Ashton, one place above Town in the second
division, looked like scoring. Town's Robbie Preidt had a piledriver tipped round the post
by Ashton goalkeeper John Chadwick who was called on again to palm away a bobbler from
chief playmaker Terry Nestor, who entered play in the second half after arriving late due
to work commitments. Preidt, who had headed the ball on to the bar in the dying moments,
had been closest to scoring prior to Bushell's penalty strike. His glancing header from a
Neil Morgan corner was cleared off the line by Paul Goulding in the 44th minute.
Town: Neil McCormack, Ian Callaghan, Mark Ashton, Andy Tague, Lee Holden, Dave Tickle,
Robbie Preidt, Dave Pick, Neil Holden, Jed Bushell, Neil Morgan. Subs used: Gavin
McDonald, Andy Harris, Terry Nestor.