Visitors FC United followed up their 4-0 win in the reverse fixture with an even easier win in front of a crowd of 773 at a rain-lashed Hurst Cross.

Sean Newton returned to the Ashton defence and Harry Bunn replaced the injured George Milner as the Robins almost got off to a flyer as Jason Gilchrist's snapshot in the first minute forced a sharp save at his near post from Dan Lavercombe.

Bunn then progressed through midfield but put his pass just too far ahead of Gilchrist and Dontai Gabidon won a corner from Sam Baird following a quick break which saw Baird himself heading clear.

Tom Scott in the home goal then saw a somewhat casual clearance blocked by Max Cane on to the roof of the net and after Michael Donohue had won the ball from Gilchrist he set up Cane to drag his effort wide.

On 18 minutes Eabidon won another corner from Baird which saw Barugh's delivery headed home at the near post by Luke Griffiths who injured himself in the process and had to be substituted shortly afterwards.

8 minutes later Barugh's effort was pushed wide by Scott after Cane had intercepted Baird's pass but from the resulting corner Curtis Jones's header was pushed out by Scott only for fellow centre back Palinkas to fire into the roof of the net.

Lewis Thompson opened the second half by having a low shot saved but FC soon saw Gabidon's cross clawed out by Scott before a 3 on 2 situation saw him strike the inside of the post with Cane on hand to fire home the resulting rebound.

Cane was back in the action midway through the half as he headed home Guy Hall's left wing cross from the penalty spot and with 15 minutes left Baird cleared the ball straight to Gabidon whose right foot effort drifted in off the post to complete the scoring.

Team: Scott, Bunn, Newton, Lonsdale (Adams 60), Baird, Porter, McKay, Whitham, Gilchrist, Lowe, Thompson. SNU: Hobson, Baillie, Mendes, Regan.

🏃 Tour of Tameside 2023 🏃

We're proud to be delivering this year's four-day running festival, which takes place from 15 to 18 June. 

Find out more and book your place here. 

Want more local sport stories?

Head to https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/sport/ to see more of our coverage - from community and non-league football to local and county cricket, boxing, athletics, basketball, Esports and golf.