The Ridge are through to the third round of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy following a professional performance against local First Division side Euxton Villa.

Ashcroft started with a strong side which saw the return of captain Ben Fletcher to the starting XI.

It was an early let off for Longridge as Patrik Bibby looked certain to beat Barry as he raced through on goal inside the first three minutes.

However to the suprise of the crowd he dinked the ball just wide of the post.

Homson-Smith looked to have a go of his own moments later when he hit it just over from 20 yards following a nice passing move involving Marshall and Ing.

Barry was then forced into action for the first time when he palmed away an effort from the edge of the area.

Ing was then given his first opportunity but his header was wide from McLean's ball in.

About half an hour passed without any real moment of quality until the 38th minute when Euxton's Uppal hit one over the bar from 20 yards out.

Harries finally got Town a shot on target as he forced Brooks into a good save to force a corner.

The corner was then swung in by Homson-Smith and headed home by Cameron Gourley to give Town the lead moments before the break.

Town made a single substitution at the break as Ben Fletcher departed for Ishaq Ibrar, another player returning from a long term injury.

The substitute was involved just 8 minutes into the second half when he shot over the crossbar after he was set off by Ing.

Just seconds later and Morgan Homson-Smith was somehow denied when his rocket from 25 yards was tipped over by Brooks.

Yet again, just moments later and we had a goal.

It came for the visitors as Euxton broke from the corner. It came to Rajwinder Uppal who picked out the top corner from just outside the area, making sure the hectic start to the second half was complete with a goal.

Euxton then won a corner on the hour mark.

Longridge managed to clear then break. Homson-Smith looked to pick out the onrushing Olawumi, making his way into the Euxton Villa box but Brooks was there to smother it.

Homson-Smith was then denied another worldie strike on 66 minutes with more Brooks acrobatics.

Morgan would then get his goal from the resulting corner.

The attacker pinged it towards the backpost which seemed to wrong-foot Brooks as the 'keeper caught it but fell into the net.

The Euxton Villa players were convinced it was a foul but the goal stood.

Ing, keen to get involved hit a nice shot on the turn but it rolled just inches wide of the far post.

With the visitors desperate to get back on level terms, substitute Josh Briggs attempted to catch Barry out from 30 yards but it was wide.

Unfortunately for Deano was he denied again moments later as he swiveled on the ball and saw his shot saved by the legs of the goalkeeper.

On 85 minutes, a back pass from an Euxton defender sold the 'keeper short and allowed Ing to run onto it.

The forward then attempted to roll it across goal where Homson-Smith was waiting but a defender intervened just in the nick of time.

Just as the game was entering the last moments, Ing finally got his goal.

The forward originally saw his effort saved before lashing home the rebound to confirm the win.

The full time whistle blew, confirming Town's win and their place in the LFA Cup third round.

Town's next home game is Bury which is a ticket only fixture. You can buy your ticket now through this link:

Be sure to be a part of one of the biggest games in our history!

The Goals:

Longridge: Gourley (45'), Homson-Smith (70'), Ing (90')

Euxton Villa: Uppal (55')

The Teams:

Longridge line-up: Barry, Marshall, Gourley, Olawumi, McLean, Fletcher (Ibrar 46'), Kay, Smith, Harries, Homson-Smith (A.Hewitt 86'), Ing

Euxton line-up: Brooks, Wyer-Roebuck, Atherton, Swarbick, Kent (Briggs 63'), Colquhoun, Westwall, Parish (Tait 46'), Regan, Bibby (McNally 72'), Uppal