Recap
Harry Gettins returned to the side to replace the injured Metz at right back, and Isaac Coppinger started in place of Blackford, who also limped out of last week’s encounter at Dunston.
A tight opening to the game saw an early attempt from Jarvie comfortably saved and a shot from the visitors narrowly wide of Bond’s post. On the 15th minute, Craig Spooner pounced from close range to get on the end of a cross to give the ‘Colliers’ the lead.
The closest Bishops came to troubling the Ashington goal in the remainder of the opening half was when a Hopson free kick was curled into the side netting on 26 minutes.
Whitfield was introduced at half time, Nyantou making way, but it was the away side who looked most threatening in front of goal with Bond making a couple of important interventions.
Bishops had to wait until the 83rd minute for a real chance to draw level. Whitfield was pushed over in the right hand side channel of the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Substitute Thexton placed his penalty to the keeper’s right, Alexander equal to it and pushing the ball to safety.
There was an increased urgency for the first time in the game going into the final five minutes and added time; however, this proved to be futile as Ashington held out to secure the points that moved them further up the table and left Bishops’ third from bottom going into Christmas.
Match report by Gavin Hadden
v 