By James Briscoe
Nantwich manager Danny Johnson is taking the positives from the 2-2 draw against his former side Ashton United.
But he said the squad were disappointed not to win after a courageous display with only 10 men.
“The feeling is one of disappointment that we’ve not held on to a 1-0 and then 2-1 lead,” he said.
“We’ve been down to 10 men for 80 minutes including all the added time and the way the lads have dug in and stuck together they’ve just proved to the supporters of this football club they’re proud to wear the green shirt and they’ll give everything they possibly can for Nantwich Town Football Club.
“We’ll build on that but we’re disappointed that we couldn’t hold on to take the three points.”
Mark Jones suffered a boot to the face in the first half, and Johnson added: “He doesn’t look too good, he’s spoiled his good looks but Mark will bounce back, he’s that type of lad.
“He’s got a golf ball on his face but he should be okay for Tuesday.”
Danny Caldecott’s early bath didn’t prevent Nantwich leading twice but tey were pegged back by Ashton’s Lee Rick and Kayde Coppin as the visitors remained unbeaten this season.
New signing Stephen Johnson, from FC United, enjoyed an impressive debut just two days after signing for the Dabbers at a blustery Weaver Stadium.
He helped set up Mark Jones down the left early on, and Jones shot narrowly wide.
Then came Caldecott’s red card after he slid in rashly left boot-raised in to Chris Denham’s standing leg on 13 minutes.
The referee had little choice but to brandish a red card.
Ashton nearly got lucky as Gregg Pearson’s cross was deflected just wide of the Dabbers’ goal by Jones on 27 minutes.
A high foot from the already cautioned Gary Gee struck Nantwich’s Jones in the face in first half stoppage time but no card was shown, much to the anger of home fans.
Aaron Burns, Nantwich man of the match, poked in an opening goal after Johnson’s corner had twice been cleared off the line from Earl Davis’ header and Russell Courtney’s shot on 50 minutes.
But 13 minutes later, Lee Rick’s first-time shot beat Smith and hit the corner of the net to level.
Dabbers substitute Andy White scored with his first touch on 68 minutes as Jones controlled and laid off.
Smith then had to make an acrobatic save to deny Denham on 71 minutes.
But Ashton equalised a second time when Kayde Coppin managed to finish when a Jay Gordon cross beat the home defence on 75 minutes leaving the home crowd stunned.
Nantwich had the ball in the net from a corner five minutes later but it was ruled out for a push.
Dabbers substitute Harry Clayton went close from 30 yards out on 89 minutes without a teammate nearby but Phillips tipped on to the bar.
Nantwich: Terry Smith, Alex Frost, Danny Caldecott, Ashley Young, Earl Davis, Russ Courtney, Adam Carden (Andy White 67), Mark Jones, Aaron Burns (Harry Clayton 81), Thomas Moore and debutant Stephen Johnson (Max Harrop ’75). Subs: Sam Wilson, Chris Amadi.
(pic by Simon J Newbury Photography)
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