TONY Gray came off the bench to score a brace including an injury-time winner as Warrington Town pulled off a crucial 2-1 win at Witton Albion on Boxing Day.
After back-to-back league defeats, the Yellows bounced back from a dour first half to come from behind and win this one to consolidate their place in the play-offs.
Their FA Trophy exploits have taken centre stage in recent weeks and indeed it was the first time they had tasted victory in the league since November 18th – a 3-1 win at Mickleover Sports – although this was only their third league game since then.
Ironically, it was a mistake by centre half Jack Higgins, only in the team due to the enforced FA Trophy replay against Altrincham meaning his recent suspension for a red card expired in time for this one, that gifted Witton a first half lead.
He initially recovered from a slip to get a block in from Rob Hopley, but Will Jones was there to bury the rebound.
It was no less than the hosts deserved and Paul Carden had to get in to his men at half time.
They put Witton, themselves chasing the play-off places, under pressure and it eventually told on 78 minutes when Gray finished well from James McCarten’s flick on.
And just as they had done in their last away game at Altrincham, Warrington snatched a dramatic late winner with Gray tapping in from McCarten’s shot across the area.
It provides some momentum going in to the Yellows’ New Year’s fixtures, a trip to Matlock Town on Saturday before Marine come to Cantilever Park on New Year’s Day.
Tony Gray celebrates his last gasp winner – Picture John Hopkins
The Warrington players celebrate infront of their fans Picture John Hopkins
Witton Albion: Hare, Haywood, Devine, Wilson, Bembo-Leta, Foley, Dale, Owens, Hopley, Jones, Tames. Subs: Neild, McKenna, Lingouba, Evans.
Warrington Town: McMillan, A Carden, McKeown, Goulding, McCarten, Higgins, Vassallo (Milne), Williams (Kinsella), McDonald, Bakkor (Gray), Hayhurst. Unused subs: Jennings, Barrigan.
