CSWPL Premier Division

Saltash Utd 2

Cullompton Rangers 0

The Ashes maintained pole position in the premier division but not without a struggle in this encounter at Kimberley Stadium.

'Cullompton came down with the intention of putting the block on against us and looking to take a point,' revealed Ashes manager Martin Burgess.

'We had to be patient and grind out the result which meant it wasn't a pretty game. But once we scored, the game was effectivlely over as Cullompton conceded far too much possession to us,' he added.

Yet it was defensive-minded Rangers who fashioned the only two first half chances with Marcus Fanson's cross-cum-shot sailing narrowly over the bar, on the half hour – and a minute later an almost identical effort by the same player came back off the Ashes crossbar.

Saltash broke the deadlock a minute after the break when Sam Farrant was fouled in the box for Jon Hoyles to fire his spotkick low to the visiting keeper's right.

Cully should have levelled on 72 minutes when a lofted ball cleared a square Ashes defence but Argyle apprentice goalkeeper Andrew Hannah made a fantastic save from Matt Fanson's fierce drive.

The Ashes made the most of this escape as they added a second goal, 10 minutes from time. Joe Carey crossed the ball in for substitute Danny Lewis to head the ball down and top scorer Sam Hughes showed good control before firing low down the middle of the goal.