Jack Foalle’s header in stoppage time helped Morpeth Town come from two goals down to earn a valuable point in the NPL Premier Division, writes Matty Hunter.

The Highwaymen found themselves 3-1 down at half-time but a second half comeback denied the visitors maximum points on a chilly Saturday at Craik Park.

Jake Charles put the visitors ahead after just eight minutes before Andrew Johnson brought the hosts level, followed by two goals in a minute from the Robins through James Hardy and Warren Clarke just before the break. The hosts completed a resilient comeback in the second half as goals from Nic Bollado and Foalle earned a hard-fought point.

Craig Lynch opted for two changes from the team that defeated Gainsborough last time out, with Chris Reid and the now recalled from loan Will Jenkins making way for Vinnie Steels and Liam Noble.

Johnson was the first player to register a chance in the game after three minutes when he fired at Barnsley loanee and debutant Paul Cooper in the Ashton net. Then, from the resulting corner, captain Jeff Henderson was denied by Cooper.

The visitors responded shortly after with a chance of their own when Clarke was played in behind well, before being denied by Dan Lowson.

The Robins opened the scoring after eight minutes when James Simms slotted in Scarborough Athletic loanee Charles who tried his luck from 25 yards and saw his effort beat Lowson and nestle into the bottom right corner.

Bollado was the next to have a chance, when he sent a shot towards goal but saw his effort parried by Cooper.

On 25 minutes, Morpeth equalised as Johnson notched his 12th goal of the season, striking the ball hard into the net to level proceedings.

Morpeth lacked any firepower before the equaliser but looked revived following it, as Johnson had a sight at goal next before his shot fell kindly for Bollado to hit but he was unable to keep his effort under the bar.

Six minutes before the break, Ashton capitalised on two sloppy periods of play scoring twice within a minute. The first came through the unmarked Hardy who took a touch before volleying it into the bottom right corner to grant his side the lead. Then, Simms picked the ball up from kick off before playing a beautifully weighted pass through to the on-rushing Clarke who fired home his first goal for the club to give his side a 3-1 lead to take into the interval.

Lynch’s side knew they had work to do in the second half if they were to get anything out of the game and they made clear their intentions of a comeback straight from the whistle.

The first opportunity of the second half for either side came through Noble, who sent a ferocious effort goalbound before it was headed away by the defender.

On the hour mark, Bollado reduced the deficit as he headed home an inviting cross from the wing supplied by Vinnie Steels and that got the home crowd roaring for the team to push on.

With just over 20 minutes to play, Steels made way for Foalle as Lynch looked to get fresh legs on the pitch to attack the game more and get a result, and what a substitute it turned out to be!

On 75 minutes, Morpeth played some excellent football as they drove up the pitch and fashioned themselves a chance at equalising but Bollado sent a cut-back well over the top.

Sam Hodgson made way for defender Ryan Wombwell next before a moment later, the hosts thought they had drawn level when they had the ball in the net but it was quickly chalked off for a handball in the build-up, with little complaint from Morpeth.

Right back Josh Robson surged down the right flank before shooting at goal, but saw his strike go wide of the near post.

Then, just as the board showed four minutes of stoppage time, a good bit of quick-thinking from Morpeth saw a chance bundle into the back of the net through Foalle who headed home his sixth league goal of the season and rescued a point for his team.

Morpeth Town are next in action on Saturday when they host Hyde United at Craik Park (3pm).

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Barlow, Donaldson, Henderson, Turner, Steels (Foalle 67’), Noble, Hodgson (Wombwell 75’), Bollado, Johnson.

SUBS: Dowling, Griggs.

ASHTON UNITED: Cooper, Cowan, Newton, Couto, Burke, Abbott, Hardy (Milner 80’), Rose, Simms (Byrne 66’), Charles, Clarke (Gilchrist 70’).

SUBS: Cusani, Caton.

ATT: 451