In many ways this game was a microcosm of Heys season so far. They started full of promise, faded, bounced back with some flowing football and then frittered the game away.

Indeed, although Heys performance was patchy the decisive moment in the game was the needless dismissal of Rio Wilson-Heyes. He may have been on the end of a poor challenge that led to a spate of handbags but when all had settled his sending off for two yellow cards for dissent, in a matter of moments, was inexcusable and ultimately cost his team the match.

The mood at the outset was nothing but positive. Heys had two new faces in strikers Adam Farrell and Ben Conway, signed from Atherton Coliieries, in the starting line up and both were involved in a lively opening.

In the second minute Conway showed quick feet and a turn of pace to cut into the box and bring a save low down from Thomas Goodwin in the Ashton goal.

In the 6th minute Heys made their early momentum count as Brad Sixsmith and Jake Wood combined on the right before the latter picked out Max White who steered in a low shot from the edge of area.

However, Heys then failed to build on the fine start. Far from continuing to press they retreated, playing deep in their own half inviting Ashton onto them.

Rhys Bowers broke free, but Mike Smith dropped low to pull off a smart save before Bradley Smart put in a shot that was held comfortably by the Heys ‘keeper as the visitors looked to seize the initiative.

When Heys did get forward they carried a threat and a header by Farrell released Brad Sixsmith whose shot flew just wide.

Ashton though were the more progressive at this point and in the 24th minute they levelled. A long ball undid Heys and Bowers went through to lift the ball over Smith.

Having, forced their way into the game though, Ashton shot themselves in the foot on the half hour by gifting Heys a goal. A long ball saw Dylan Sweeney put under pressure by Conway and rashly roll the ball to Farrell, who with keeper out of his goal, had the easiest of finishes.

The goal lifted Heys and they ended the half strongly. Goodwin pulled off fine saves to thwart Conway and Sixsmith whilst Ayres had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.

It was a momentum Heys carried into the second half. A great move saw Conway and Wood link to play in White whose angled shot was blocked by the keeper who then pushed a free kick, again from White, over the bar as it threatened to dip into the net.

Jason Carey brought Ashton back into the game with a fine run before cutting inside and shooting just over but the momentum was largely with Heys.

However, in the 65th minute came the dismissal of Wilson-Heyes and the mood changed. Ashton sensed this was their moment and were visibly energised.

Playing with renewed vigour, they levelled in the 74th minute. With Heys stretched Mat Johnson broke free and swept an angled shot low past Smith.

Five minutes later the visitors were ahead. With Heys all at sea Liam Fitzgerald picked out an unmarked Jason Carey and he drilled home from 12 yards.

Heys looked to respond but were unable to fashion the opening that would give them a way back into the game and in the 90th minute all hope was extinguished as a low cross was gleefully slotted home by Robert Lamont.

In the end the early optimism had faded to replaced by a gloom to match the weather as similarly as the high hopes of summer are slowly fading in the darkness of winter.

Team: Mike Smith, Jake Wood, Carl Fitton, Max White, Mark Ayres, Jacob Holt, Brad Sixsmith, Jamie Baguley, Adam Farrell, Ben Conway, Rio Wilson-Heyes Subs; Lee Grimshaw (for Conway75 mins), Lee Bruce (for Wood 84 mins), Liam Healey (for Baguley 84 mins), Dominic Butler, Justin Pickering