CONGLETON Town keeper Micky Allison produced a string of excellent stops for his rock bottom side on Saturday.

However his top class display was not enough to stop the Bears sliding to defeat against top three side Ashton United.

Congleton went down 1-0 at home to Ashton, who were on a roll, after winning their previous two game 9-2 and 5-0.

The Bears were also in optimistic mood after their 4-2 FA Trophy victory at Winsford, with manager Glyn Chamberlain keeping the same side.

However Saturday's performance was unrecognisable from the one against Winsford, with the Bears hardly creating a decent chance all afternoon.

The defeat leaves them rooted at the bottom of the table, and desperate for a good result tomorrow at strugglers Guiseley.

''Our technique was poor against Ashton, and whereas we played the ball to feet at Winsford it was in the air a lot of the time on Saturday," said Congleton treasurer Ken Mead.

''We were unrecognisable from the display against Winsford, and the performances were streets apart.

''We never really gave their keeper anything to worry about, and the manager is extremely worried about the way the side is playing.''

Congleton had a number of chances in the opening 10 minutes, Wayne Johnson heading wide, and Peter Weston completing miskicking a cross.

Ashton striker Cornelli proved a major headache for the Congleton defence all afternoon, and hit the post early on with a cross cum shot.

The first real chance for Ashton came when Cornelli played the ball inside for Illingworth, whose shot was saved by Allison.

Cornelli was again instumental in another good opening, crossing for Miller, whose diving header was held up in the soft pitch.

Adrian Dunn blocked a shot by Carty for Ashton, and Allison saved well from Cornelli.

Ashton made the breakthrough five minutes before half-time when Steve Callear slipped, and the ball was played square to McDonald to score from six yards.

Allison pulled off an excellent stop from a McDonald volley in the second half, and the closest Congleton came to a goal was near the end of the game when Rod Thornley volleyed just wide.

Congleton travel to Guiseley in the league tomorrow, and Droylsden in the League Challenge Cup next Tuesday.