GREAT HARWOOD'S trip to Ashton Town in the UniBond First Division proved to be a doubly pointless exercise.

A victory would have lifted them into a top four spot and midfielder John Whitaker now faces suspension after being ordered off after 30 minutes for an alleged off-the-ball incident.

But 10-man Harwood battled bravely and could, and possibly should have had something out of the game.

After 10 minutes, striker Paul Baker brought out a brilliant from the home keeper, but it was Ashton who took the lead five minutes later, the ball slotted home after a right-wing cross. Ironically, soon after Whitaker's dismissal, Great Harwood equalised after good work again by Baker - Neil Otley finishing well.

However, the winner for Ashton came midway through the second period when another right-wing cross was converted.

Manager Martin Eatough shuffled his pack for a grandstand finish, bringing on subs Paul Ainscough, Steve Whitehead and Matt Raywood, but a Russell Proctor header and a Dave Bennett effort were just wide.

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