COLNE paid the price for not taking advantage of their first half domination as they slipped to defeat at Ashton.

Having bossed the opening 45 minutes Colne only had Liam Garbutt’s early strike to show for the superiority.

Garbutt gave them a dream start with a wonderful goal after just 90 seconds. The in-form striker turned his marker inside out before floating the ball over Alan Fitzpatrick in the Ashton goal following good work by Scott Gizon and Michael Cruz.

But Colne then went on to waste a catalogue of chances.

Garbutt teed up Martin Broderick whose well struck shot flew narrowly wide before Gizon mishit with just the keeper to beat and Garbutt’s follow-up was cleared off the line.

James Crorken then had another effort cleared off the line before Fitzpatrick saved from both Gizon and Garbutt.

Ashton were on level terms soon after the restart when Paul Prescott pounced on a loose ball to fire beyond Bobby Harris.

And the hosts secured an unlikely victory when Prescott scored from the spot on 68 minutes.