Ashington suffer shock FA Cup exit against Thornaby

Ashington found themselves on the wrong end of an FA Cup upset when they lost 3-2 against Thornaby at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday afternoon.

Twice ahead, the Colliers were pegged back by their visitors before Spencer Walker netted what proved to be the winning goal to send the Teessiders through.

In the end, it was a deserved victory for Thornaby – who play in the first division of the Ebac Northern League – and after defeating Guisborough Town in the previous round, they have now claimed two scalps against teams who operate in the NPL East.

It would be Ashington who forged ahead in the 11th minute after debutant Noah Cunningham’s shot struck the base of the post and fell into the path of Jamie Holmes, who was on hand to blast the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

Cunningham then hit the side netting before the visitors drew level in the 20th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. Walker charged through and went to ground under a challenge from goalkeeper Matty Alexander, but the home stopper appeared to get a hand on the ball and push it away. After the referee had pointed to the spot, however, Walker sent the Ashington number one the wrong way, tucking his effort inside the post.

Six minutes before the interval, Ashington regained the lead with a brilliant strike by Craig Spooner. Cunningham teed the ball up for the midfielder whose left-footed strike from 22 yards flew past Sam Taylor.

But the game-changing moment of the contest came just 30 seconds into the second half when Thornaby caught Ashington on their heels to equalise. The visitors forced a corner on the left, and when skipper Joe Pickett floated the ball over, it was met by the unmarked Jacob Thompson, who found the back of the net with an emphatic header.

From there, the Teessiders grew in confidence and Walker would go on to put them ahead on the hour. The ever-lively talent latched onto a ball played up the left flank, cut inside, then stroked a low shot inside the far post.

After edging ahead, the visitors looked comfortable against a sloppy Ashington side largely guilty of causing their own problems.

Yet four minutes from the end, only an astonishing save from Taylor denied substitute Scott Lowery a certain equaliser. A Scott Fenwick corner was glanced on, and Lowery’s firm header was goal-bound until the Thornaby stopper somehow clawed the ball off the line, securing the win for his side in the process.