Morpeth Town failed to build on their replay opportunity as a resolute performance from Ashton Athletic saw them win the game and face a glamour tie at York City in the next round.

A stunning Marcus Cusani free kick put the Yellows on the road to victory. Christopher Bandell doubled their lead before the interval. Despite Joe Walton scoring his second penalty in as many games, it proved to only be a consolation.

Marcus Cusani was the first player to try his luck on a mixed evening in Morpeth as he shot wildly over the bar with only 4 minutes on the clock.

Chris McDonald tried to respond for the hosts but his effort from the best part of 30 yards was comfortably dealt with by Pearson in the away goal.

Cusani had found his shooting boots after his earlier effort as he gave the visitors the lead. A free kick from 30 yards was curled expertly into the top corner and left Dan Lowson rooted to the spot as he like many in the crowd expected the effort to go wide.

Joe Walton tried to respond for the Highwaymen but his effort was sliced well off target from the edge of the area as Morpeth tried to respond to falling behind for the third time in three meetings with Ashton Athletic.

Joshua Nicholson who had caused problems in the first game with his direct running went close to doubling the lead for Ashton but his dipping effort went over the bar.

As the game approached the half hour mark, both sides traded goals that were flagged for offside. Liam Henderson had the ball in the net for the hosts before Christopher Bandell netted for the visitors.

There was no flag for Bandell to be denied on 35 minutes when his initial effort from Nicholson’s low centre was blocked by Lowson, and the rebound came back to Bandell who made no mistake.

Sean Taylor came the closest to scoring for Morpeth in the first half as his cross kissed the crossbar on the way over.

The Highwaymen started the second half on the front foot as they looked to gain a foothold in the game. Iulian Petrache defied probability as his header from Sayers’ free-kick was directed straight into the arms of Pearson.

As the game reached the final 20 minutes, it became more niggly as Ashton disrupted Morpeth’s fluent style of play. Several players were shown yellow cards as fouls and dissent became a constant feature of the game.

On 75 minutes, Petrache who again looked the most likely goalscorer saw his looping header drop narrowly wide of the near post with Pearson stranded.

Morpeth were handed a lifeline with 11 minutes remaining. Liam Henderson who had to deal with feeding off scraps for the majority of the game was barged over in the box by one of the Ashton substitutes. Joe Walton who had rescued a replay on Saturday was given the responsibility and the man with ice in his veins, blasted his penalty into the top corner.

David Carson went close in the final five minutes as the hosts pushed for an equaliser but his effort was wild and it cleared the crossbar.

Morpeth might have thought that was to be their last chance but one more presented itself. A corner from Ben Sayer found its way to Jeff Henderson at the back post who stabbed the ball wide from almost on the goal line.

The referee found a considerable amount of added time but there was to be no heroics from Morpeth as they exited the FA Cup.

Next up for Morpeth is a league game when they make the long trip to Stamford on Saturday. The next game at Craik Park is on Saturday 22nd September when Carlton Town are the visitors.

 

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Forster (Burnicle, 69), McDonald, Sayer, Petrache, J. Henderson, Taylor, Phillips (c) (Potter, 46), Walton, L. Henderson, David Carson.
SUBS NOT USED: Hodgson.
GOALS: Walton 79’.

 

ASHTON ATHLETIC: Pearson, Reid, Howard, Cringle (c), Holden, Joseph Nicholson, Joshua Nicholson, Wilson, Hassall, Bandell, Cusani
SUBS NOT USED: Guffogg, Raines, Webster, Munro, Foulds.
GOALS: Cusani 14’, Bandell 35’.
Att: 307