Ashcroft's red got off to a flyer in the game's second half after Jack Anderton scored directly from a corner to break the deadlock in a tightly contested tie.

However a quick response and then a late winner won the hosts all three points.

Ethan Edmundson and Matt Van Wyk came in as the only changes to the side that drew with Colne.

With an early kick off time of 2pm, the game got underway.

Longridge started the game well with Anderton seeing a shot deflect wide for a corner.

Ten minutes in and the Ridge have a strong penalty appeal waved away before a great ball in from Watkinson was left unanswered.

Fletcher's corner was then nodded at goal through a crowd of bodies but cleared off the line by Prestwich's Taylor.

Moments later and Kier Barry held an effort from the hosts as the game started to go end-to-end.

Liam Atkinson was then brought down on the edge of the area.

Van Wyk stepped up and fired it into the wall.

Heys then found themselves in behind via Woodward who could only pull his effort wide of the target, the flag went up anyway though.

Edmundson received the first booking of the match following a poorly timed challenge in the middle of the park.

Around this time the hosts started to grow into the match.

Fletcher was on hand to block a close range effort before Edwards fired one over the bar for Heys.

James Badrock's header was then kept out brilliantly by Kier Barry before the half time whistle was blown.

As mentioned the Ridge started the second half like a house on fire.

They got their reward just a couple of minutes into it.

Jack Anderton whipped a corner towards the far post and it curled over everyone and into the top corner to stun those in attendance.

Town now led but unfortunately it didn't last.

Moments later and we were all level again as 16 year old Lewis Ayres found the far corner from a cross down the right hand side.

In response, Ashey went to his bench to replace Van Wyk with Luke Smith.

Heys were dangerous again as Byron's audacious overhead kick fizzed wide of the far corner.

Lewis Richmond then came on moments later, taking the place of Edmundson.

Town then found a decent break and Luke Smith tried his luck from distance only to see it palmed over the bar by Allen.

Town then almost repeated their opener, as another Anderton corner almost caught everyone out again but it was brilliantly tipper over by Allen.

Town were then left furious as it appeared to strike an arm in the penalty area but nothing doing.

Ryan McLean made way for Leighton Hewitt before Anderton received a booking.

As we entered just three added minutes, disaster struck.

Michael Burke swept the ball home as it ping ponged around the penalty area, breaking Town hearts.

The referee called time and Town once again left empty handed.

Despite the run of form and frustrating results there's still plenty of things to be positive about.

We now have two consecutive home matches with the first coming on Boxing Day against Padiham and the second against Irlam on the 28th of December, both with a kick off time of 3pm.

As always, we will bounce back.

Thanks for your brilliant support as of late.

Recently elected Chairman Lee Jameson has issued a message of thanks, appreciation and hope for the future to the Longridge faithful.

Read the full message here: https://www.longridgetownfc.com/news/chairman-sends-christmas-wishes-2892087.html

The Goals

Prestwich Heys: Ayres (50'), Burke (90+1')

Longridge: Anderton (48')

The Teams

Prestwich Heys: Allen, Bardsley-Rowe, Sullivan, Badrock (Foley 59'), Thompson (Hutchinson 86'), Taylor, Edwards (Percival 82'), Belcher (Ayres 46'), Woodward, Byron, Burke

Longridge: Barry, Marshall, Devenney, Newton, McLean (Hewitt 77'), Anderton, Edmundson (Richmond 65'), Fletcher, Van Wyk (Smith 54'), Watkinson, Atkinson