KIRKHAM boss Mick Fuller believes his side are well on course for promotion after his side defeated their nearest rivals Ashton Athletic with two first-half goals on the road on Saturday.

Fuller said: "It was important that we didn't lose today but to get three points was excellent.

"Ashton weren't at the races but thankfully we were and that's what counts."

Talented Mike Clark opened the scoring for Kirkham when he fired in a free-kick off the edge of the box after 13 minutes and with the keeper unsighted it nestled nicely into the bottom left hand corner.

Ashton lost their keeper Alan Fitzpatrick just minutes before with a back injury, but luckily for them their first choice Joe Clayton, who after the match was presented with the Vodkat Division Two goalkeeper of the Month award was on the bench.

But his first action was to pick Clark's well hit free kick out of his own net before Ritchie Allen caused all sorts of commotion on the left, rounded new keeper Clayton before crossing for leading scorer Sean Paterson to nod in his 27th goal of the season at the far post after 35 minutes.

For the home side striker Joe Evans 26th minute shot over the top was Ashton's only real worthwhile chance to score in the first-half.

Paterson limped off at half-time for Kirkham with a calf strain to be replaced by FA Vase hero Matt Walwyn who rattled the bar 10 minutes from time from an acute angle and then was denied again on the whistle when he was through one on one with the Ashton substitute keeper Clayton, who smothered his effort.

Kirkham's three points now takes them clear of the chasing pack who all dropped points, except for leaders New Mills who won at home to Bootle.

Fuller added: "It's clear to me that while we have a Wembley date to think about, promotion is our number one priority and l'm glad to say that events of today now puts that firmly back in our own hands."

Kirkham & Wesham scorers: Clark 13, Paterson 35.

Att: 65