Ryan Aston back on track with a points victory

The 22-year-old middleweight has endured a frustrating time since suffering his maiden professional defeat in a Midlands title shot with Curtis Valentine last July.

But 'Tank' was always in command against Lithuanian Psonko over four rounds and floored his opponent with a left-right combination early in the final round.

However, Aston couldn't find the finishing blow after Psonko had taken an eight count from referee John Latham, eventually taking the contest on points by 40-35.

Defeat to Valentine was followed by a technical draw against Tyan Booth in November, where Aston sustained a cut which kept him inactive until last night.

But after beating Psonko, the slick southpaw will be quickly back in action on the under-card of Brian Rose's scrap with Joachim Alcine in Blackpool on April 20.

Aston said: "It was just great to be back out there and get some rounds under my belt, now I want to keep pushing on.

"My plan was to control the centre of the ring and take the fight to him and I think that's what I did.

"At no stage did I feel I was under pressure and a few of my shots definitely hurt him."

Aston signalled his intent early with a couple of eye-catching left hooks, which had Psonko immediately on the back foot.

By round two, the Lithuanian was spending most his time near the ropes, with Aston content to bide his time and pick his punches.

He began to significantly move through the gears in the third and by the fourth Psonko was in trouble, hitting the canvas after being hit with a left-right combination.

The only blemish came in the final minute as, with Psonko becoming increasingly desperate, Aston himself took several clean shots in his over-eagerness to end the contest.

He added: "After he had taken the eight count, the referee was telling him he needed to show something and it drove me on.

"But I ended up rushing my work and that's why I didn't get the stoppage."