Super-sub Asanti sinks battling Saints with late winner

Table-toppers Solihull Moors recovered from last Saturday’s 6-0 reverse to extend their lead with a 1-0 success at St James Park where substitute Akwasi Asanti grabbed the late winner.

The game was tight and tactical and only began to open up towards the interval. Keeper Sam Hornby was quickly off his line to smother the early danger, picking up a knock requiring treatment before the game settled as the visitors enjoyed the better of it without threatening a goal.

At the end of the first half Moors twice brought out the best in Hornby as first he tipped over Ryan Beswick’s rising drive before turning away Andy Brown’s effort at full stretch to keep the sides level at the break.

Moors’ keeper Danny Lewis dived low to keep out David Moyo’s shot after a surging run by the Saints striker and only another fine save by Hornby kept out Darryl Knights and a last-gasp tackle by Curtis McDonald denied Moors the lead as the second period started brightly.

On the hour Brown took advantage of a defensive slip but was thwarted again by Hornby’s heroics and moments later Brown escaped his marker but fired generously high when well placed.

Moors made the breakthrough with 15 minutes remaining as Saints’ resolute defending finally crumbled. Liam Daly won the first header from a corner came and Asanti was on hand to apply the finishing touch.