ALNWICK Town missed the chance to go top of the Premier Division as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Northumberland rivals Ashington Colliers.

With table-toppers Gillford Park and second-placed Seaton Delaval Amateurs in cup action, a win would have taken Town a point clear at the summit.

But the St James' Park side were back to their inconsistent best. Having dominated the game at Heaton Stannington a weeks ago, they were unable to add to their points tally against the Colliers.

Alnwick found themselves frustrated by the home-side as they played a five man midfield with one upfront and found it hard to get to grips with the Ashington passing game in midfield.

Albert Straughan's Town troops had a few chances in the first half including a turn and shot by Ben Keenan which was blocked and a Richard Brown shot which rolled across the goal-line without anybody being there to apply the decisive touch.

At the other end, Ashington had a couple of long range efforts drift wide of the target. The hosts were never really rewarded by the wing-play of Shaun Henderson on the left-hand side.

Alnwick went behind on the stroke of half-time, with what was virtually the last lick of the first period. After conceding a free-kick just inside their half, a high ball was floated into the box and a good save from Brian Brooks fell kindly to Ashington forward Anthony Wright who calmly slotted the ball home.

Alnwick probably had their best spell of pressure in the first 20 minutes of the second-half. Ben Webster found himself with a clear shooting opportunity from 18 yards but fired high over the target.
Gary Bailes then went close from a Tony Brown corner but his glancing header scraped over the crossbar.

Gary Patterson then saw his left foot strike from eight yards brilliantly blocked by Taylor in the home defence.

Ashington weathered the storm and got back in to the game and with Alnwick taking more and more chances the inevitable happened on 85 minutes. A breakaway on the right hand side by Williamson saw him deliver a good cross for Wright to notch his second of the game and secure the three points for the home side.

On the day Alnwick huffed and puffed in spells but could not complain about the final result as Ashington fully deserved the win.

Alnwick will have time to lick their wounds and re-group for their next match which is at home to Carlisle City on Saturday, November 29.

Alnwick Town: B Brooks, B Murray, N Catlow, G Bailes, R Young, I Common, G Patterson, B Webster, T Brown, R Brown, B Keenan, M Richardson, C Henderson, J Black.