Tom Ince provided a masterclass performance last night as Town scored five goals at Home for the 3rd game running to overcome a frustrated Bacup Borough.

Ashey gave new signing from Bamber Bridge, Phil Doughty, his debut in a back three alongside Captain George Melling and Conor Linighan and, with striker Richie Allen missing with a virus infection, Paul Turner started up front with Jay Hart.

Town started well enough but Bacup were well organised, and had pace up front looking to break quickly, but Doughty and Melling dealt with any attacks comfortably enough playing the ball confidently out of defence.

Half an hour passed by easily enough with a familiar pattern of Longridge possession, but stout Bacup defending, as Ince looked to find Hart and Turner beyond the back line.

The breakthrough came on 35 minutes, after a handball blocked a goalbound Town effort from corner. Ince slotted home the resulting penalty, and it proved a turning point as Bacup had to come out and play. 1-0 Town.

Morrison got the second goal just 5 minutes later with a superb towering header from a Murphy corner and, at 2-0, the Bacup visibly lost shape with Ince adding a 2nd penalty on the brink of half time after a foul on Doughty. Striker Jay Hart looked to take it as he looked to get on the scoresheet, but his time would come later in the game as Ince scored an identical spot kick to the keepers right hand side.

3-0 at Half Time, and Longridge left the pitch to a standing ovation from the 157 supporters present after an excellent 45 minutes.

The second half began with Town on the front foot, Murphy and Joe Melling providing the width and Danny Wilkinson and Ince pulling the strings. It was a great start with a 4th goal threatened, and it came after 54 minutes. Murphy breaking down the left before putting in a delicious left footed cross that was turned into his own net by a Bacup defender as he struggled to stop Hart from pouncing. 4-0 Town.

Both Gary Basterfield and Brad Wicks were introduced in place of Paul Turner and Tom Ince, who left the field to loud applause. Wicks in particular got into the game straight away with some neat passing and movement.

In fact it was he who started the move for the 5th, striding forward before finding Joe Melling wide. His cross was met by Hart who outjumped the Bacup keeper to power home his header into the bottom corner, a textbook cross and finish. 5-0 and crowd favourite Hart's joy at scoring
was a delight to see.

Disappointment followed for the crowd as the excellent Michael Morrison was given a straight red card for what can only be traditionally described as 'handbags' with a Bacup player, who was also dismissed to add to his sides tally of 5 yellow cards. It seemed harsh on both players as there was no contact, just the often seen head to head posturing that goes on week to week in the game.

Dovey in the Town goal saved twice late on to preserve his first clean sheet of the season, and the whistle went soon after with both sides applauded from the field after an entertaining game.

Ashey's thoughts were clear from his broad smile as he spoke to Media Officer Ellie Hamilton after the game, and Town now look forward to this Saturday when Huddersfield based Shelley FC visit The MRG for our third Home game in a week, with a 3pm Kick Off scheduled.