Report: Stourbridge 1 Ashton United 2
Stourbridge suffered a severe setback to their play-off prospects with a 2-1 defeat at home to promotion rivals Ashton United.
Chris Lait put Karl Hawley clean through after eight minutes but the league's top marksman fired straight at Ashton goalkeeper Paul Phillips.
The match turned on its head on 28 minutes when the dangerous James Dean got goal side of Glassboys defender Stuart Pierpoint.
He went through for a clear chance only to be brought down by Pierpoint, who was duly sent off. Chris Baguley converted the resulting penalty.
Stourbridge were forced to regroup, Chris Lait being sacrificed for substitute defender Joe Hull.
Matters worsened when Ashton went 2-0 up on 42 minutes when Dean beat the offside trap to slot home past advancing Glassboys goalkeeper Matthew Gould.
Stourbridge struggled to make any impact after the break as Ashton were quick to defend in depth at every opportunity.
But the hosts still managed to throw themselves a lifeline on 78 minutes when Matt Dodd managed to break free down the right and crossed to the far post for Brian Smikle to smash home.
Despite late pressure, Stourbridge could not find a way through and remain outside the play-off zone.
