WARRINGTON Town continued their fine run of form with a 1-0 win at Sutton Coldfield Town to maintain their place in the play-off places.
Daniel Hattersley converted from substitute Dylan Vassallo’s second half cross to earn the Yellows a sixth win in seven league outings.
The artificial pitch in the Midlands took some getting used to for the Yellows, with the ball bouncing slightly different to on a traditional surface.
A long kick by Tony McMillan almost put Scott Harries in early doors, while the winger also had a cross-cum-shot tipped over the bar by ‘keeper James Wren.
Left-back Josh Askew surged through midfield on 18 minutes and slid the ball through for Ruben Jerome, the striker returning to action having missed Tuesday’s cup defeat at Nantwich, but Wren was out quick to save with his legs.
Jerome also could have done better when the ball fell at his feet in the box, deciding to look for strike partner Hattersley rather than go for goal.
For all their possession and territory, the Yellows couldn’t carve out anything more clear cut for the rest of the first half, and that prompted a double chance by Paul Carden at the break – new signing Scott Bakkor and Vassallo coming on for Jerome and the disappointing Michael Monaghan.
Vassallo had an immediate impact. Within 15 seconds of the restart he had got behind his man and forced a sharp one-handed stop to his right by Wren.
The winger was a persistent threat, running at defenders and Sutton Coldfield had no answer.
It was only a matter of time before it came to something, and Hattersley duly obliged on 57 minutes, steering home from six-yards out after Vassallo had gone to the byline and pulled it back.
After taking the lead though, the Yellows wobbled and Sutton had their best period of the game, without really carving out anything significant. Midfielder Matt Curley worked hard to get possession in the box, but fired straight at McMillan.
The ship was eventually steadied, with both Bakkor and Vassallo working well to keep the ball at the right end of the pitch.
Hattersley could have had a second, heading over from yet another Vassallo run and cross, but ultimately it wasn’t needed as the hosts never looked like scoring.
The win lifts the Yellows up to fourth in the table with seven games to play, though teams around them do boast games in hand.
Warrington return to action next Saturday at home to Hednesford Town.
Sutton Coldfield: Wren, Beresford, Fox, Birch, Cleet, Kelly, Curley, Webb, Howarth (Wright), Venney (Mukendi), Robbins. Unused subs: MacDonald.
Warrington Town: McMillan, Duggan, Askew, Ventre, McCarten, Gumbs, Monaghan (Vassallo), Smart, Hattersley, Jerome (Bakkor), Harries (Codling). Unused subs: Lewis, Shaw.
