Ten-man Curzon Ashton claimed a 3-2 victory over Buxton on Bank Holiday Monday at The Silverlands.
The visitors struck inside just two minutes. A cross from former Buxton man Jack Stobbs wasn’t dealt with by The Bucks’ defence, and the loose ball dropped kindly for Bradley Holmes, who volleyed home to make it 1-0.
Buxton pushed for a quick response when a lofted delivery found the head of George Ward, but the centre-back’s effort was comfortably gathered by Callum Hawkins.
Holmes threatened again soon after, driving forward from an Alex Curran pass before curling his attempt high and wide of the target.
The Bucks came even closer in the 16th minute, as Connor Kirby rattled the crossbar with a free-kick.
Just four minutes later the hosts drew level. Luke Brennan won possession in midfield and slipped Cian Coleman through the middle, who in turn teed up Tai Sodje to fire beyond Hawkins for 1-1.
With the equaliser secured, Buxton began to take control, dictating possession and carving out chances from set pieces. Kieran Burton’s header from a corner cleared the bar, before Coleman’s strike was blocked and Kirby drilled narrowly wide from the follow-up delivery.
Captain Connor Kirby went close again early in the second half, his free-kick effort dipping just over the bar.
At the other end, substitute Charlie Weston created Curzon’s first chance of the half, curling narrowly wide of the right post.
Weston then restored the visitors’ lead in the 63rd minute, heading in a corner from Stobbs to make it 2-1.
Curzon were dealt a setback soon after when Jack Stafford received a second yellow card for a foul on the right wing, reducing them to ten men.
Despite the dismissal, The Nash added a third just three minutes later. Another Stobbs corner was this time met by Joe Rodwell-Grant, who powered home to extend the lead.
Buxton pulled one back with ten minutes remaining, Ryan McLean grabbing his first for the club after a corner caused problems in the area.
And although Sodje saw a late effort blocked inside the box, The Bucks couldn’t find another equaliser and slipped to defeat against Curzon Ashton.
