A Kevin Gonzalez brace was not enough for Ilkley Town, as they found themselves on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller at Ashton Town on Saturday.

Three goals in the opening ten minutes meant the fixture got off to a blistering start, and it showed no signs of relenting as the hosts eventually ran out 4-3 winners.

Cal Peers opened the scoring inside the opening minute of the contest for Ashton Town, hitting a fierce strike beyond the reach of Ilkley’s shot stopper.

Only four minutes later, Gonzalez was on hand to punish a poor clearance from the hosts, as he raced clear before slotting a low shot into Ashton’s net.

The drama in the early stages of the contest was far from over; captain Sam Sheen whipped a delicious free-kick over the wall to put the home side back in front.

And on minute 24, Nathan Hunt clinically dispatched a spot kick after an infringement been given in Ashton’s penalty area.

In the second half, Jordan Southworth was the next man to write his name onto the scoresheet.

On minute 53, the hosts lofted a corner to the back post and there was Southworth to volley home and send his side into a 3-2 lead.

With four minutes from time, Peers got his second of the game for the hosts as he raced clear and made no mistake in putting the game to bed, albeit just before a consolation strike from Gonzalez to end the game at 4-3 in favour of the home side.

Up next for Ilkley is a home tie against Droylsden in the Edward Case Cup first round this evening, before they host Holker Old Boys in the league on Saturday.