TWO first half goals from Ryan Zico Black gave buoyant Lancaster City a fine win over Ashton United on Monday and lifted them to the heady heights of sixth in the new Nationwide Conference North.
It was three points City richly deserved after an excellent first half performance which totally dominated a poor Ashton outfit.
And the goals that won it were both beauties - the second on its own worthy of winning any game.
The first strike, on 10 minutes, came from an Andy Scott cross which Peter Thomson touched onto Black to thrash home.
And on 22 minutes he doubled the advantage when he collected a pass from Ian Daes, spotted Ashton keeper Ashley Connor off his line, and beat him with a cheeky chip from outside the area.
Three minutes later Thomson added to manager Phil Wilson's injury woes when he limped out of the action to be replaced by youngster John-Paul Stanhope.
But it did not stop the City bandwagon rolling forward as they threatened to increase the advantage even further before the break.
Josh Mitten had Ashton's only chance of the half when he collected a poor clearance and rounded Jamie Speare only to shoot wide of the goal.
The same player missed another sitter following good work by Nick Clee as the second helf opened but that was about all United had to offer as the game petered out - with an Ian Dawes shot from a pass by Black just about the only notable moment.
CITY: Speare, Clark, Sparrow, McMahon, Scott, Elderton, Jones, Dawes, Jones, Prince Spencer 90), Thomson (Stanhope 26) Black. Subs not used: Yeomans, McCullough, Gibbons.
City's penalty woe cost them two valuable points on Saturday as Neil Prince missed a spot kick against title favourites Hucknall Town at Giant Axe.
The midfielder took over penalty duties after Ryan Zico Black's midweek miss against Vauxhall Motors but saw his shot on the stroke of half time saved by Matthew Taylor.
It left the Dolly Blues 1-0 down at the break in a match they had been totally dominating.
Things got worse six minutes into the second half when Danny Holland scored his second to put the visitors in the driving seat.
But City certainly do not lack for spirit and they battled back to earn a point.
The first score came when substitute Ian Dawes' shot was blocked and Zico Black was quickest to react in the resulting goalmouth melee on 65 minutes.
And with seven minutes remaining his strike partner Peter Thomson rose highest to head home the leveller from a corner on the left.
CITY: Speare, Clark, Sparrow, McMahon, Scott, Sullivan (Dawes 60), Jones, Elderton, Prince, Thomson, Black. Subs not used: Yeomans, Stanhope, McCullough, Gibbons.
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