Ashington were quickest out of the traps and took the lead after 4 mins - a flowing move in from the left finished off by Bryan Taylor who slotted home.
Five minutes later Noah Cunningham came close to making it two when he hit wide at the near post Oliver Thompson's delivery.
Garforth grew into the game with Harris Eggleston's cross on 19 mins gathered at the second attempt by keeper Matty Alexander under the feet of Charlie Marshall. Marshall was in with a chance himself on 31 mins when teed up on the edge of the box by Harry Colville but his effort was over the bar. Another opportunity fell to Eggleston on 38 mins after beating a man just inside the box but he couldn't test Alexander.
Town struggled to create for much of the second half against a side seemingly happy to sit on their narrow lead.
Jack Gibson's low shot was saved by Harry Flatters on 46 mins. There was a great chance moments later for a Colliers player who'd changed to a number 19 shirt at half time when getting clear of the Miners defence, but he could only fire over the bar.
An equally good chance presented itself to Marshall on 60 mins. Played in by a long ball forward, he couldn't get any real contact on his shot making for an easy save for Alexander. Colville then curled a 20-yard shot over the bar as quality in the final third was found wanting for both sides.
As such, it took a set-piece for a second goal to arrive. Jamie Barkway was adjudged to have tripped Josh Gilchrist in the box and the hosts were awarded a penalty. Flatters dived the right way, but Scott Fenwick's effort was hit well enough to double his side's lead.
Four minutes from time there was hope for Town supporters making the long journey to Northumberland. Sub Max Tweddle picked up the ball 20 yards out and found the bottom corner of the net with an arrowed shot to mark his 100th appearance for the club. Boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Joe Allerton off the bench, further attacks followed but ultimately Town hadn't done enough to avoid a third straight defeat.
Deep into injury time, the hosts were forced to see out their first league win of the season without manager Marc Ellison who was sent off for delaying the restart by practicing his keepie-up skills.
A tough ten days or so for Paul Marshall's side who now have two home games in a row to try and turn things around. Neighbours Pontefract Collieries are the visitors to the BD Community Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Town team: Flatters, Johnson, Emery, Savage (Allerton 57), Tilsley, Barkway, Colville, Coupland (c) (Ball 79), C. Marshall, Patrick (Aldrich 68), Eggleston (Tweddle 69). Unused: O. Marshall.
Cautions: Savage 36, Flatters 78.
Attendance: 325.