Newton Aycliffe suffered more woe on the road as they fell to their fifth defeat in seven league games away from Moore Lane Park.
It was the polar opposite from Tuesday’s win at Billingham Town, as Ashington crashed four goals without reply against the Newtonians, who finished the game with 10 men.
It took the hosts 40 minutes to break Allan Oliver’s side down, but Marc Walton – so often a thorn in the Newtonians’ side – tapped home from close range to give the Colliers a half time lead.
Prior to the goal, Martin Young and Jamie Owens had both fashioned half chances for the visitors, to no avail.
The second half was more one-way traffic, as Gary Middleton’s side took charge and looked every bit the title challengers they are, as the victory took them to within five points of leaders Spennymoor Town.
Andy Johnson scored a superb treble – two of which were fine headers – to put Aycliffe out of sight, while Young was unluckily dismissed late on for a second booking, to compound Oliver’s misery.
It looks no easier for Aycliffe as they remain on their travels this week, with local derbies against Oliver’s former employers Crook Town, before Friday’s visit to the Brewery Field – were they have already been brushed to one side in an FA Cup replay last month.
Team: G.Young; S.Gibson, Oliver, Mitton, Close; Lambert (M.Gibson), M.Young, Woodhouse (Raitt), Owen; Wilson (Mellanby), Owens. Unused: Selby, Farley.
