NELSON crashed to a shock defeat at Victoria Park against lowly Ashton Town in the North West Counties Second Division.

In an end to end game it was Ashton who took the lead after 29 minutes when Dave Oxton volleyed the ball into the Nelson goal at the far post following a free kick by the visitors.

In the second half the Blues managed to claw their way back into the game when Mark Smith beat the Ashton offside trap with a through ball for Carl Howarth who rounded the Ashton keeper before slotting in the equaliser at 1-1 on 67 minutes.

Nelson's joy lasted just four minutes before Paul Kirwin took advantage of the generosity of the Nelson defence and finished off a speculative cross by chipping the ball over keeper Mark Canning to restore Ashton's lead.

Although Nelson put in a great deal of effort, Ashton's keeper was rarely troubled and in the end the visitors might have added to their tally, but for some good saves by Mark Canning.

RESULT: NELSON... 1 ASHTON TOWN... 2