Spot-on Squires Gate as AFC Blackpool suffer defeat

Following Saturday’s exit from the Macron Cup, Gate returned to league action at the division’s bottom team.

It was the hosts who threatened first, forcing Nathan Pennington into a close-range save after spilling an initial effort.

Gate created their first chance on 11 minutes, Nathan Cliffe sending Callum Sandle in behind but he fired wide from a tight angle.

Sandle had another half-chance just a few minutes later, hitting an acrobatic effort off target from the edge of the box.

Gray, Ryan Riley and Theo Ball also failed to test the home keeper with Cliffe and Ryan Moore being cautioned as the first half ended goalless.

Gate might have considered themselves lucky to still have 10 men after Moore committed a needless foul five minutes into the second half.

The referee kept him on the pitch, though he was replaced on 57 minutes after a strong performance.

Sandle was thwarted by the Ashton keeper’s feet before Cliffe went closer still on 59 minutes, denied by a goalline clearance.

An offside flag ruled out a goal for Ashton, who also spurned a chance from close range after seeing Ball shoot straight at the keeper.

Then, on 80 minutes, Rowan Chambers was tripped inside the area with Gray sending the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The hosts threw everything at Gate to try and get back in the game but Luke Evans’ players stood strong and recorded a vital three points on the road.

In the First Division North, however, AFC Blackpool were beaten 2-1 by Steeton at Jepson Way.

All of the goals came in the second half with AFC leading just before the hour.

A corner wasn’t dealt with by their visitors and was eventually turned in by Brendan O’Brien.

However, Steeton levelled within 90 seconds as Andrew Briggs scored from a tight angle.

Briggs also netted the winner with 12 minutes left, scoring from the spot after he was felled by AFC keeper Dan Hall.