Ashville fell to their first defeat in 5 games away at Stafford on Tuesday night in a game where the scoreline was a harsh reflection on proceedings

Ashville had the better of the chances throughout the game but a lack of conviction cost the visitors. Lee Turkington’s hunt for his first Ashville goal continues but he came close to breaking the deadlock on 11 minutes only to be denied by an excellent save from Adam Jenkins

The resulting corner also provided a great chance but Matty Scoullar’s half volley snuck the wrong side of the post

Turkington was at it again just minutes later when Joel Kelly found the striker with a beauty of a through ball. The resulting effort looped just over the bar but left Jenkins stranded

Two top class saves from Cowderoy denied Stafford a first half lead but was unable to prevent birthday boy Matt Hearsey from scoring 3 minutes into the second half from a powerful header

Hearsey would add a second header just four minutes later before completing his hat trick of headers on 77 minutes after two contentious penalty appeals were waved away for Villa

Stafford added a fourth on 89 minutes when Patryk Mazurkiewicz’s goal bound effort was steered over the line by Connor Courtnell as he attempted to clear the ball

The result was harsh on Ashville who gave a good account of themselves against a their Edward Case Cup semi final opponents. Villa next travel to Market Drayton on Saturday