Ashington notch up their first win of the season away at Garforth Town

And what’s more, the Colliers were full value for the three points after a strong and spirited second half performance which was capped off with two quality goals by Craig Spooner and Cyril Giraud.

They went into the contest on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Crook Town on Saturday which saw them exit the Emirates FA Cup – but the response by the players was hugely impressive.

In the opening stages, Jamie Barkway headed over for the hosts from an in-swinging corner by Max Tweddle and Ashington’s reply was an effort from distance by Paul Van-Zandvliet which whistled just wide of the post.

Midway through the half, Garforth took the lead with a goal out of nothing. After a throw-in on the right, the ball broke to skipper Dan Coupland, who fired home from 20 yards wide of keeper Ross Coombe.

The Miners could so easily have doubled their advantage just past the half hour mark when James Burgess struck a first time volley wide following a cross from the left, then Coupland dragged his shot past the upright from 12 yards.

There was little to choose between the two sides – Garforth having more of a cutting edge up front – and shortly before the interval, Barkway nodded the ball back into the middle from another Tweddle corner but Harry Viggars headed over.

At the other end, Ashington’s Wilson Kneeshaw accelerated into the area and went past keeper Harry Flatters, but his cross into the middle was cleared.

The second period saw a complete transformation from the visitors. Inside the opening minutes, an incisive ball by Giraud released Kneeshaw, who fired inches over the bar.

Then in the 55th minute, the Colliers drew level after a superb move. Matty Slocombe – who was outstanding at the heart of the defence – played the ball to Kneeshaw and the striker unselfishly laid the ball wide for the unmarked Spooner, who buried his effort wide of Flatters and inside the far corner of the net.

Ashington now had the bit between their teeth and 65 seconds later, a great ball played over the top of the home defence by Andrew Cartwright released Kneeshaw, who netted but saw the goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Tweddle had already shown his quality with his delivery from set pieces for the home side and on the hour, only a fantastic save by Coombe denied him.

The full back curled a free kick from 20 yards which the keeper acrobatically pushed against the crossbar with Burgess blasting over the rebound.

Then in the 72nd minute, Giraud scored what proved to be the winner. Cartwright and Spooner worked a one-two on the right and when Cartwright’s effort was blocked, the ball ran out to Giraud, who cut inside before he unleashed an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area which screamed past Flatters and into the roof of the net.

After that, Ashington managed the rest of the game – then in the second minute of time added on, substitute Michael Ndiweni slipped the ball to Giraud, who side-footed a cross shot fractionally wide.