Godolphin Atlantic 1 Saltash United 3

Sometimes you win games in style, with attractive football on good playing surfaces in warm sunshine, writes Kevin Marriott.

But many of the most crucial points of a successful season are collected on days like Saturday, with a cold, howling wind sweeping across a rutted ground, making for an uncomfortable afternoon.

And Saltash, still very much in the thick of the title race, had to show all their battling qualities at Godolphin Way to overcome an injury-hit home side who had two players – Danny Carne and Craig Ainsley – sent off in the last half an hour.

The margin of victory was two goals but the third, a free kick from left back Chris Menhenick, didn’t arrive until the first minute of time added on.

Up until then, despite having the majority of the possession, Saltash could not be sure of taking all three points and they were forced into some pretty desperate defending at times.

One such occasion, in the 69th minute, led to central defender Callum O’Brien being shown a straight red for holding back Tyler Cheshire to deny him a scoring opportunity.

That was Saltash’s first dismissal of the season and rounded off a particularly miserable afternoon for O’Brien, who has been one of the side’s most consistent performers in recent weeks.

It had all started well for the Ashes, with top scorer Ryan Richards deciding that his 40th goal of the season would be special. Finding a yard of space on the left edge of the penalty area, the striker lifted a delightful shot over rookie goalkeeper Zak Roberts into the far corner of the net.

But the lead lasted only five minutes as a long ball forward caught O’Brien in two minds and he lost possession to Cheshire, whose cross into the box was finished off by Jared Sims.

There was little to choose between the sides for the remainder of the first half and the game was still level on the hour mark when Godolphin winger Carne was sent off for pushing Henry Wilson in the face, an offence a referee’s assistant spotted.

Three minutes later Saltash were back in front when keeper Roberts could only parry a left foot strike from Richards, and substitute Sam Hughes, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, was on hand to score from close range.

The O’Brien sending off was a setback for the Ashes but they continued to create the best chances, with Richards twice denied by clearances inside the six yard box.

Hughes seemed certain to score as he raced clear in the 89th minute but he was brought down by Ainsley just outside the penalty area, leading to a red card, and a free kick for Saltash.

The first effort, by substitute Dave Trott, crashed into the wall but the referee ordered a retake for encroachment. This time the left-footed Menhenick stepped up to fire low and hard into the net.

Next in the league for Saltash is a home game on Saturday against Launceston. It is their match in hand on leaders Tavistock, who have no match. The Ashes will be looking to reduce Tavistock’s lead to two points with seven games to go.

Godolphin Atlantic: Z Roberts, S Flannigan, T Shephard, A Dilley, K Parker, A Bradshaw (C Ainsley 15), D Carne, A Martin (T Soares 55), B Williams, J Sims, T Cheshire (C Rooney 84). Sub not used: R Milsom.

Goal: J Sims (19).

Yellow cards: K Parker (48), C Ainsley (84), T Shephard (89).

Red cards: D Carne (60), C Ainsley (89).

Saltash United: R Rickard, D Barker, C Menhenick, C O’Brien, L Russell, H Wilson (D Trott 70), R Maddison, S Farrant, S Stevens (S Hughes 57), R Richards, L Edwards (C Hall 70). Subs not used: S Sargison, S Leary.

Goals: R Richards (14), S Hughes (63), C Menhenick (90+1).

Yellow card: H Wilson (57).

Red card: C O’Brien (69).

Referee: James Strout.

Cornish Times Man of the Match: Sam Farrant – influential figure in the centre of Saltash’s midfield.