BACUP 4 ASHTON 3

A KARL Stanley hat-trick secured the points for Bacup, who survived a late fightback from the visitors in the NWCL Division Two.

Bacup played 55 minutes with 10 men after having Mark Hall sent off for a rash challenge in the 35th minute.

Brent Peters' side also had to cope with losing two players, Nicky Taylor and Darren Esdale, just before half-time.

Gavin had a couple of early chances before Stanley put his side in front on 15 minutes, beating the offside trap to latch on to a Dave Thomas pass.

Two minutes later, Peters' side were two up as Stanley ran on to a Taylor pass to power the ball home.

Ashton pulled one back at the start of the second half and just a minute later Scott Gilchrist could have made it three for Bacup but scuffed an attempted lob.

But a minute later Gavin got the third, sliding the ball over the line.

In the 58th minute, Gaving won a penalty which regular spot-kick taker Damien Moran allowed Stanley to take, and he duly completed his hat-trick.

Bacup lost their shape and discipline in the final 10 minutes and conceded two goals.

Ian McLelland gave a penalty away on 79 minutes and Sam Daho gave a free kick away late on -- and got himself booked -- for clapping the assistant's decision. Ashton scored from both chances.