THERE was no Boxing Day cheer for Boro as the UniBond League's three point victory incentive went Ashton's way in an entertaining derby at the Inn2gether Stadium.

The game was spiced up when Boro included new signing from Ashton - Jamie Miller - on the bench after his Christmas Eve switch and the opening throws of the game were frenetic to say the least.

Ashton had the first opportunity of the game when Steve Smith blazed over Andy Johnston's bar after a slide-rule pass had left the home side's defence beaten.

Smith then hit another effort straight at the keeper after a mistake by Martyn Forrest in midfield had presented an opportunity before Cooney shot wide after good work from Ciaran Kilheeney and Smith on the edge of the area.

Boro found the net after eleven minutes when Foster coolly slotted home Lee Duffy's pass after the former Rochdale wing-back's marauding run down the right, however, the Boro man mistimed his run and the goal was chalked off for offside.

Foster had another opportunity to break the deadlock but he flicked the ball agonisingly wide after being picked out by a long ball over the top.

The Robins took the lead after 14 minutes when Smith was left with an easy tap-in from all of three yards after good work from Kilheeney on the edge of the area had unlocked the Boro defence.

Scott Wilson blazed over before Foster got the home side back on level terms with a clinical finish after springing the offside trap.

Foster was proving a constant thorn in the Robins' side and he smashed one over the bar from Wilson's pass before Paul McGuire's had a top corner-bound header was cleared from the line.

Tony Whealing hit a free-kick straight down the throat of Ashton's experienced keeper Mark Molyneaux before he became embroiled in an ugly confrontation with Foster which resulted in both players getting a late Christmas card - a yellow one!

The second half was pedestrian-like compared to ferocity of the opening half but it sprung into life when Molyneaux saved at the feet of Whealing, ahead of Ashton's winning goal.

It came after 59 minutes when the ball broke loose to Craig Dudley, who unleashed a screaming effort through a crowd of players into the roof of the net.

Andy Heald had a chance to put Boro on level terms but he blazed over when confronted with the onrushing keeper before Adam Carden was brought on for Stephen Hill in a desperate attempt to shake things up.

Foster had a dipping shot tipped over the bar before fluffing his lines with a overhead kick.

The crowd urged Boro forward and Foster screwed an effort across goal before Miller was brought on for his debut.

His first touch looked to have put Foster in the clear, but the powerhouse striker overdid it with his first touch and the chance was gone.

Foster had a strong claim for a penalty when he was wrestled to the ground but it was Ashton who finished strongest in injury time and Boro will now be hoping they can get back on track with a win over Runcorn (game played at Prescot Cables FC, 3pm KO) on Monday.

BORO: Johnston, Duffy, Whealing, Kelly, McGuire, Hill (Carden), Wilson, Forrest, Barrass (Miller), Foster, Heald.

MARC HIGGINSON