THERE was little Christmas cheer for Warrington Town in the Boxing Day derby at Prescot Cables as skipper David Mannix and centre half Craig Robinson both saw red in a disappointing 2-1 defeat.
The hosts took the lead after just eight minutes when Sam Corlett kept his cool to slot the ball home after out pacing the Warrington cover and although Warrington had plenty of possession it was Prescot who nearly went two up on the half hour when a free-kick was headed onto the bar.
Moments later Town keepr Karl Wills saved well with his feet to deny the hosts.
Just before the break during Warrington’s best spell of the game Prescot cleared two headers off the line but managed to hold on for a 1-0 interval lead..
Ben Wharton was introduced at half time for Lee Gaskell, who was returning for his first start following a hamstring injury.
But it was always going to be an uphill struggle when skipper Mannix was shown a straight red on 55 minutes following a strong sliding challenge.
On sixty minutes Corrigan was brought on for Doughty as Prescot thought they had a second but it was ruled out by the officials who decided Cables had taken a free-kick too quickly during the substitution.
Warrington still managed to have the lions share of possession despite being down to 10 men but still hadn’t forced a save from the home keeper when Wharton fired wide on 65 minutes.
Things then went from bad to worse for Warrington in the 72nd minute when Robinson was shown a straight red following another strong sliding challenge.
Despite being down to nine men Warrington still pushed forward with a Burke low cross forcing the first save from the home keeper and a screamer from Scott Metcalfe (pictured right) hitting the outside of the post from 35 yards.
But with Warrington being stretched Prescot hit on the counter attack grabbing the all important second goal in the 84th minute when Corlett bagged his second.
A last gasp goal from Steven Tames, (pictured below) who sprung the Cables off-side trap in injury time, proved too little too late for Town.
Wills, Field, Hardwick, Mannix, McCarten, Robinson, Doughty,(Corrigan) Burke, Tames, Gaskell,(Wharton) Metcalfe. Subs, Beesley, Corrigan, Wharton, Gahgen, Colbeck
