Moors fell to defeat against in-form Curzon Ashton as a first half penalty was enough to hand the home side all three points at The Tameside Stadium on Easter Monday.
An assured spot-kick from Tom Peers seven minutes before the break proved the difference but Jason Ainsley’s men were more than in the game for long periods against The Nash.
Ainsley made one change to his starting eleven for the trip, with Corey McKeown earning a start after coming off the bench to set up both goals in the Good Friday win over AFC Fylde.
Moors began the game well and Rob Ramshaw almost got in behind from Harry Flatters’ long clearance, while the keeper then had to make wonderful save to turn over Hayden Campbell’s powerful drive for the home side.
Midway through the first period Moors came close to opening the scoring. Paul Blackett played a lovely ball in behind for Glen Taylor, who got there first to round the keeper only for his shot to be blocked on the line.
Taylor then tried his luck with a free-kick from 25 yards, stinging the palms of keeper Chris Renshaw who did well to parry the powerful effort away from danger.
The game turned in Curzon’s favour on 37 minutes. A ball into the far post was picked up by Nash skipper Craig Mahon who was upended by AJ Greaves as he turned inside, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Peers calmly slotted home from 12 yards.
Moors came out strongly at the start of the second half and McKeown escaped through on goal only for Renshaw to rush from his line to block the shot before Greaves fired the rebound off the base of the post.
Just after the hour, McKeown again produced a moment of magic as he skipped inside from the left corner of the box to curl and effort on goal which flashed just wide of the far post.
Moors kept on coming and 15 minutes from time Blackett thought he had levelled things up when his curling low drive flew through bodies towards the bottom corner before Renshaw got down to tip it round the post.
Ramshaw also tested the home keeper with a volley out of nothing from 20 yards which was pawed clear by Renshaw, while Flatters had to be alert to deny substitute Finley Armstrong as Curzon threatened on the counter.
Full Time: Curzon Ashton 1 Moors 0
Curzon Ashton: Renshaw, Poscha, Matthews, Boyle, Peers, Hayhurst (Hall 80), Waring (Armstrong 66), Spencer, Mahon, Barton, Campbell (Walker 66).
Subs not used: Hancock, Richards.
Moors: Flatters, Ledger, Curtis, Mbeka, Angell (Day 83), Ross, Ramshaw, Greaves (Shanks 52), McKeown (Lufudu 78), Blackett, Taylor.
Subs not used: Wombwell, Anderson.
Booked: Greaves (15), Blackett (61), Mbeka 86)
Referee: Dale Baines
Attendance: 334
