Brighouse Town bowed out of the Isuzu FA Trophy at the third round qualifying stage, losing 5-4 on penalties to Ashton United.
Ashton, currently second in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, were given a real run for their money by Town who more than matched them throughout the game.
It was 0-0 at the break with Kielan Adams missing the chance midway through the half to put the home side ahead after Harry Garman had spilled Cole Lonsdale’s through ball. Town had their chances however with Will Calligan and Jack Normanton going near.
Seven minutes into the second half Town’s Mo Qasim was denied by a combination block of keeper Luke Simpson and fullback Sean Newton inside the box and the ball ballooned goalbound but was just taken short of the line by Simpson.
Town deservedly went ahead in the 57th minute when a through ball from Matty Nebard found Qasim and he couldn’t be denied a second time as he easily beat Simpson.
Ashton equalised in the 64th minute from a second successive corner, Dan Cowan heading in at the near post in what was a crowded box.
Town came bounding back and substitute Myron Gibbons was tracked into the box and just put his final shot the wrong side of Simpson’s post.
Normanton and Samuel Bentley also had chances to put their side back in the lead before the referee blew for time after three added minutes.
Town had won their last two penalty shoot-outs but following a missed penalty from the boot of Darius Smith, Ashton kept hitting the target and took the tie 5-4.
Town’s assistant manager Louis Axcell said Town had played very well and deserved something from the tie. The towering and sturdy centre-backs Jack Dando and Jorge Sikora gave Ashton’s strikers a torrid time and look to be two good recruits by the manager in the pasty three weeks.
On Saturday its back to League action as Town entertain Consett (3pm) in a game sponsored by Dyehouse Lane-based company Intermotors Ltd.
The Durham-based side, who lost 2-1 at home to Ossett United last Saturday in a league game, are currently in sixth place in the table and Town 14th. Manager Vill Powell’s injury woes are easing with fullback Brandon Webster and midfielder Jack Wilson both in last Saturday’s squad and ex-Bradford City fullback Curtis Peters is fit for consideration after ankle ligament problems, while both midfielder Jack Crook (hamstring) and striker Jayden Major (leg) are still some way off.
Former Town loanee Bobby Pointon, who is some prospect, scored his first goal for managerless Bradford City last Saturday in their 1-0 home win over Swindon Town.
