Squires Gate 0 Ashton Athletic 4: Successive home defeats see Squires slip

Josh Westwood climbs highest for Squires Gate against Ashton Athletic Picture: ALBERT COOPER

Squires Gate’s mini-revival under manager Luke Evans has stalled with back-to-back home defeats in the NW Counties premier division.

AFC Blackpool 3 Bacup Borough 2: Mechs maintain momentum despite late scare

Adam Gilchrist’s 18th-minute opener, Matty Reid’s screamer into the top corner six minutes later and a Marcus Cosani strike three minutes before the break put eighth-placed Ashton in control.

Joshua Nicholson completed the scoring six minutes from time and Gate could muster little in response beyond Josh Pollard’s shot into the side-netting.

The defeat leaves Gate two places and three points off the bottom, though they do return to action on Monday at Whitchurch Alport (8pm kick-off).

However, they face a tough task to collect any points away to a fourth-placed side who know victory could lift them into second spot.