WARRINGTON Town needed extra time to see off a battling Cammell Laird 4-2 in the Evo-Stik League Cup at a wind swept Cantilever Park.
It was the secxond meeting of the sides in eight days following Warrington’s recent 2-1 league victory, in what turned out to be one of the best League Cup games seen at Cantilever Park in many years. 
Manager Joey Dunn handing a debut to seventeen year old full back George Emson and only a second start to 16-year-old youngster Dan Gordan in goal.
Warrington, who were looking to build on back to back victories for the first time this season immediately went onto the offensive, pushing forward in search of the opening goal, going close when debutant Mike Jukes, brother of former Town centre half Adam, saw his shot well saved by Laird’s former Tranmere goalkeeper Phil Palethorpe. Warrington took a deserved lead in the 14th minute, when Jamie Henders, a recent summer signing from Cammell Laird, was left unmarked in the penalty area, to head home, his first goal for the club.
Town continued to control the game, with striker Jack McGowan causing problems for the visitors rearguard. The visitors first chance of the game came in the 29th minute, but saw their shot well dealt with by Gordan. Three minutes later, the visitors were level, the Town rearguard failing to deal with a corner from the left and this allowed striker Dale McDonald to stab the ball home from close range. Once again, Town went on the attack, and McGwoan went close when his shot went narrowly wide of the upright. On the stoke of half time, the visitors took the lead, striker Helio Andre slotting home after good play from the Laird’s attack.
The second half started as the first half had ended, with Town, generally, in control of the game, McGowan and Adam Wade both going close to an equaliser early on. McGowan missed what looked a certain goal just before the hour, blasting over at full stretch from six yards. Two minutes later, McGowan got the goal his play deserved, picking up a square ball from Henders to slot home, despite the best efforts of Palethorpe, who got a hand to the ball, but could not stop it going in.
Dale Wright was next to go close when his powerfully struck free kick was tipped over the bar by Palethorpe, before Henders snap shot had Palethorpe scrambling at his near post. With a quarter of an hour to go, Gordan produced a fine low save to deny the visitors a winning goal. As full time approached the game became more frantic, with both sides wanting to avoid extra time, the closest either side came was when McDonald saw his drive smack the post and rebound away to safety.
Extra time began with the nights controversial incident, Henders saw his shot parried by Palethorpe, only for McGowan to see his close range follow up blocked by what looked like the sliding defenders hand on the line. Despite the protests of those closest to the incident, the referee only pointed for a corner. Gahgan twice, and Henders went close once again, as Town could not find the key to unlocking the resolute visitors defence.
Warrington went close at the start of the second period, Henders seeing his shot deflected onto the post and away for a corner. Town finally managed to re-take the lead in the 112th minute, Gahgan capitalising on a mistake to bare down on Palethorpe and finish clinically into the bottom corner.
The goal seemed to lift Town, but the visitors went looking for an equaliser, all they could mange were a number of long range shots which went too high to trouble Gordan in the Town goal. With the end of the game looming, Town extended their lead, Henders made a break, before squaring for McGowan to once again slot home.
Pictures show (from the top) Chris Gahgan celebrating his extra time goal and double goal scorer Jack McGowan.
For more pictures from the game CLICK HERE
Town: Gordan, George Emson (d) (Duffy, 81), Wright, Humphreys, Hardwick (c), Wade, Michael Jukes (d) (Gahgan, 84), Thompson, Henders, McGowan, Shipton, subs not used: Finley, Hamid, Brown
