Second half strike sinks Curzon

Curzon Ashton lost ground in the National League North title race on Saturday after a second half sucker punch from visitors Brackley Town saw them run out as 1-0 winners.

The away side had the first chance of the afternoon on 11 minutes when midfielder Shane Byrne’s looping volley cannoned back out off the crossbar. 

Moments later hosts Curzon forced a stunning point blank save from Brackley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, who sprawled to his left to deny Stefan Mols from close range. 

The match went into half time goalless, but The Nash will feel they should have gone into the break in front having been the better side in the first period. 

Craig Mahon’s side came close to scoring yet again early in the second half when Isaac Sinclair’s volley, which looked destined for the top right corner, was tipped behind by Maxted. 

Curzon were made to pay for these missed opportunities just after the hour mark when the visitors took the lead after Connor Hall put the ball on a plate for Matt Lowe who headed home from close range. 

The Nash came close to equalising soon after when Luke Griffiths' whipped cross was headed goalwards by Stefan Mols, who forced another terrific save from the Brackley goalkeeper. 

With six minutes to go, the home side saw yet another chance go begging when Adam Barton’s header cannoned off the post following a corner from player-manager Craig Mahon. 

From there, Gavin Cowan’s side were able to see the match out and take all three points back to Northamptonshire. 

“I’m not disappointed at all with the performance,” Curzon boss Craig Mahon told the Reporter following the loss. 

“The lads have done everything we’ve asked of them, we’ve kept the ball well, worked hard, and it’s come down to fine margins in both boxes- performance wise that’s one of our best this season,” he added. 

The loss sees Mahon’s side slip down to sixth in the table, but with games in hand on most of the teams above them, there are still plenty of reasons for Nash fans to remain positive.