Monday's First Division North action review

In the only game in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North on Monday night Curzon Ashton put Saturday's defeat at Clitheroe behind them with a narrow 3-2 win against struggling Ossett Albion at the Tameside Stadium, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

There should have been a second game in First Division North but New Mills versus Farsley FC was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Curzon made the breakthrough in the 18th minute when Kristian Dennis combined with his strike partner Tony Evans, who came up with a fine finish. From then on Curzon looked fairly comfortably, but the visitors still levelled the score two minutes later, courtesy of a strike from skipper Adam Hayton from the edge of the box.

The away side were then nearly gifted a second goal as Josh Ollerenshaw and Jonathon Hunt were involved in a mix-up, but Hunt raced back to stop the on rushing Dale Kelly from what was a clear route on goal.

The second half started similarly to the first but in the 58th minute Curzon took the lead for the second time in the match. Scott Metcalfe burst down the left and flashed a cross to the far post for a tap-in for Evans from a couple of yards out.

Matt Purcell had started to make an impact off the bench for the home side and in the 73rd minute he found Dennis at the far post for a simple finish, making the scoreline 3-1.

Ossett refused to let their heads drop though and made an instant reply through Dale Kelly. He scored with a neat finish from inside the area to set up an interesting finale but the hosts hung on to move into tenth spot.