WARRINGTON Town moved up to 5th in the table following a hard earned 1-1 draw at local rivals Witton Albion.
Just 48 hours after triumphing at Bootle in the FA Cup, Warrington were forced into making changes to the starting line up through injury but welcomed back skipper Mike Tomlinson and winger Tom Rutter.
Town started brightly against their highly fancied hosts, with livewire winger Rutter (pictured above) first to go close.
Witton also started well, making for a very open first half, with the home side going close after a scramble in the Town penalty area, but keeper Paul Pritchard was on hand to deny the home side. Town had the best of the chances, these falling to striker Tony Evans, who saw his shot blocked away for a corner and Anthony Hickey was denied by Witton keeper Matt Cooper.
Witton should have taken the lead when midfielder Dave MacPherson headed over when well placed. A minute later, Town were ahead, Rutter getting on the end of a loose ball in the box to fire home with a fierce drive, which took a deflection on the way in. Town were on top and went close through striker Gavin Salmon, (pictured right) who was only denied by a last gasp challenge by defender Ben Harrison. The last chance of the first half fell to Tony Evans, but the tall Town striker saw his shot on the turn go narrowly wide of the target.
Witton’s manager Paul Ogden made a half time substitute, and changed his formation, which brought the home side more into the game, substitute Chris Smith blasting high over the bar when well placed. A mere five minutes later, and Witton found a way past Pritchard, striker Andy Kinsey, heading home, despite the best efforts of Pritchard, who despite getting a hand on the ball, could not keep it out.
The home side were now in control of the game, but good defending by the Town defence, and excellent keeping by Pritchard, helped to keep the score level.
Town gradually got back into the game, with Evans driving narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area. Witton full back Matthew Holt saw his header go narrowly over the bar as the home side pressed for a winner.
Witton went closest to a winner, when Kinsey saw his header from an acute angle, hit the top of the crossbar and bounce away to safety. Before the end, Town were twice indebted to Pritchard for keeping the scores level, as he produced two fine saves to earn Town a point.
Town: Pritchard, Duffy, Corrigan, T Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), R Hardwick (Rowntree, 82), Rutter, Potter, Evans, Salmon, Hickey, (Anderson, 86) sub not used: Bathurst
Atten: 380
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