Kendal Town progressed into the next round of the FA Cup following a fine performance in Manchester. On a bright, sunny day the game was played on a pitch with the grass a little longer than is ususl. Lee Ashcroft nearly set up Alex Taylor in the opening minutes, but a defender just blocked him out. Kendal's George Melling headed a free kick just wide. Town started the game the better of the two sides and limited Ashton to a couple of harmless corners. Kendal Town went 1-0 up on 22 minutes when Alex Taylor finished superbly, after a deft touch from Lee Ashcroft. Ashton's Iain Howard broke through the Kendal defence, only to be thwarted by the excellent Town 'keeper David Newnes. Lee Ashcroft was sent clear, but pulled his effort wide of goal. A pile driver of a shot by Callum Warburton was pushed round the post by Ashton 'keeper Terry Smith. A great move from Kendal Town was ended by Callum Warburton smashing the ball into the Ashton area, only for a defender to knock it behind for a corner. As half time approached,and with Town looking comfortable, the home side levelled on 40 minutes as Ben Deegan benefited from a Town challenge that fell straight to him. Town started the second half equally as well as they had the first. Michael Cloe saw a free kick just curl over the bar. Ashton's Ryan Moore has a header well saved by Newnes. The Town 'keeper then saved well from Howard. Anthony Murt replaced the injured Alex Taylor and almost immediately scored, just failing to turn an Osaman cross goalwards. Osman did find the net on 68 minutes to put Town 2-1 up with a cracking finish, having been played in by Lee Ashcroft. Just 5 minutes later the home side were level again. Craig Robinson diverting a shot that was going well wide into the Kendal Town goal. However, Town were not to be denied. Carl Osman broke free on 75 minutes and was pulled back in the penalty area, Town were awarded a spot kick. Lee Ashcroft stepped up to take it, and blasted it home. A few chances at either end brought the game to it's conclusion and Town go into the draw for the next round. I must mention the referee Paul Marsden, he was excellent throughout the whole game.

KENDAL TOWN - 1 David Newnes 2 Neil Murphy 3 Paul Byrne (Captain) 4 Dan Wordsworth 5 George Melling 6 Callum Warburton 7 Carl Osman 8 Lee Ashcroft Sub (Zach Clark 90 mins) 9 Alex Taylor Sub (Anthony Murt 59 mins) 10 Michael Cole 11 Lee Mulvaney Subs - 12 Gary Baker 14 Zach Clark 15 Anthony Murt 16 Jimmy Williams 17 Tom Bush

ASHTON UTD. - 1 Terry Smith 2 Stephen Rose Sub (Alex Frost 90 mins) 3 Danny Caldecott 4 Haydn Eames 5 Ian Kearney (Captain) 6 Craig Robinson 7 Ryan Moore 8 Ben Smith 9 Ben Deegan 10 Ian Fitzpatrick 11 Iain Howard Sub (Gareth Richards 77 mins) SUBS - 12 Alex Frost 14 Gareth Richards 15 Chris Middleton 16 Nathan Wharton 17 Bradley Cook

GOALS - KENDAL TOWN - Alex Taylor 22min - Carl Osman 68min - Lee Ashcroft 75min (pen)

..............ASHTON UTD. - Ben Deegan 40min- Craig Robinson 73min

M.O.M. - KENDAL TOWN - Callum Warburton

..............ASHTON UTD. - Ryan Moore

ATTENDANCE - 118