TWO stunning goals with new arrival Peter Wright scoring one and assisting in the other brought three welcome points on Tuesday evening.

Wright, the one-time Newcastle United trainee who has moved to the club from Mossley, certainly made a big impression on his debut.

But this was far from a one-man inspired victory and the collective commitment and determination of everyone in a Town shirt was underlined time and again up to the final whistle.

On the rainswept pitch Town had to survive an Ashton breakaway after two minutes when keeper Rick Whiteside made a close-range double save from Gary Haras.

Instead Kendal went ahead with a finely crafted 15th-minute strike. Midfielder Paul Osborne remained tireless in his pursuit of the 50-50 ball throughout and won a tackle before finding John Fowler, who released Scott Redhead.

Redhead's incisive running was a key factor in Town's improved display and he supplied a perfectly-weighted pass that dovetailed with Wright's angled run behind the Ashton defence.

Wright turned and hit a firm, left-foot cross-shot beyond the keeper and inside the far post.

If that was exhilarating there was exasperation when Ashton cancelled out the lead eight minutes later as hesitant defending allowed Steve Garvey time and space to fire in.

Town refused to be despondent and Ian Kilford made a good opening for himself from Redhead's cross but failed to find enough power to worry Lee Bracey with his sidefooted shot. Redhead then cleverly turned inside his marker on collecting Fowler's free kick but the shot flew just past the post.

Town remained composed in possession and were rewarded in the 35rd minute for a patient build-up in midfield.

Dene Whittal-Williams eventually lofted the ball forward and Wright flicked it on into path of Redhead, who cracked a firm finish into the corner to restore Town's lead.

Town knuckled down in the second half to holding on to their 2-1 lead and some attentive tackling prevented the visitors from posing a sustained threat and Whiteside had few worries.

Centre-backs Nigel Taylor and Whittal-Williams stayed focussed, while the midfield covered back well to help full backs Paul Sparrow and Ged Smith, the latter injecting useful pace in the back four when required.

Town asserted themselves again and Wright almost capitalised on sloppy defending in the 66th minute but Bracey saved well from six yards. Osborne fired wide from a corner a minute later, and Fowler saw his goal-bound drive deflected over the bar.

Ashton's Kevin Gibbins ballooned over the best chance of an equaliser with two minutes left, but Kendal had worked long and hard and deserved their confidence-boosting victory.

HOW THEY RATED: Whiteside 8, Sparrow 7, Smith 7, Whittal-Williams 7, Taylor 7, Fowler 7, Osborne 8, Kilford 7, Arnison 7 (Foster 7, 80min), Wright 9, Redhead 9. Subs (unused): Ferris, Hill. Att: 223