The hosts made a dream start and were ahead inside five minutes. A long ball towards the Whitby penalty area caused problems and, after the Seasiders were unable to clear their lines, James Hardy was on hand to find the net and give Ashton an early advantage.

Ashton continued to push and almost scored again through Kurt Willoughby, whose effort from distance drifted narrowly wide. However, Ashton would strike again on 16 minutes to double their lead. Hardy was once more the man on target, finishing clinically to leave the Seasiders with a mountain to climb.

Despite the setback, Lee Bullock's side refused to let their heads drop and created opportunities of their own. Ben Turner fired just over from range after Lucas Reed’s free-kick had been blocked, while, at the other end, Willoughby twice went close, first dragging an effort wide before later curling over the crossbar.

Whitby had to remain alert on the counter-attack. Dan Turner drilled wide after peeling away at the back post, while Harry Flowers headed over from a corner as Ashton sought a third goal before the break. Hardy also sent a chipped effort wide from a tight angle late in the half.

The second period saw Whitby enjoy spells of possession and looking for a route back into the contest. Goalkeeper Jack Norton produced an excellent intervention on 54 minutes though, charging down Justin Johnson before making the save, having already pushed a low Hardy strike behind for a corner shortly after the restart.

Whitby’s best opportunities came through Mo Gashi and Lucas Reed. Gashi tested Tommy Taylor with a goal-bound effort that the Ashton goalkeeper gathered comfortably, while Reed saw a promising strike blocked inside the penalty area. Stuart Rose also headed wide from a Marley Grant delivery as the Seasiders continued to probe.

There were further encouraging signs as Whitby pushed forward during the final quarter of the match. Gashi struck narrowly wide from distance, while Grant also managed an effort on goal, although neither could seriously trouble Taylor.

Ashton remained dangerous on the break and Norton was called into action again, producing a fine late save to tip Alex Byrne’s low effort around the post. In stoppage time he also held Mikey O’Neill’s shot on the turn to prevent the scoreline from becoming more severe.

Ultimately, Whitby were left to rue a difficult opening 16 minutes, with Hardy’s early double proving decisive. Nevertheless, there were periods of promise throughout the evening, and the Seasiders continued to battle until the final whistle in what was a credible effort against a well-organised Ashton United side.

Attention now turns to the next fixture at home to Warrington Town this Saturday (3pm kick-off) as Whitby look to respond quickly and return to winning ways.