WINNING smiles returned to Kendal Town faces with a 2-1 victory over Ashton United at the Planet Conservatories Stadium on Tuesday evening, writes Richard Daniels.

Manager Lee Ashcroft promised the fans that the team would treat the fixture as a "cup final" and new striker Peter Wright scored on his debut in what was a rousing all-round team display.

It ended a seven-match sequence without a league win, although four of those games had been drawn.

The result saw Town leapfrog their beaten opponents into 17th place and gave them a 10-point cushion over the sides in the three automatic relegation slots.

"I've got the squad I need to do the job now," said Ashcroft after his capture of Wright from Premier Division rivals Mossley. "I had to drop myself and with players coming back from injury, it's going to be a headache selecting the side but one we want."

Town go to 12th-placed Ossett Town on Saturday, having fought out a goalless draw when the sides met last September.

Defender Paul Byrne, striker Ian Johnson and midfield Seb Beckett are all back fit and in contention for places in the travelling party.

"Ossett don't score many and don't concede many according to their record, so it looks like being a tight match," said the manager.

Town's next home match is against play-off place seeking Burscough on Saturday week.