WARRINGTON Town’s FA Cup dream came to an end as they pushed Blue Square North outfit Stalybridge Celtic all the way before going down 1-3 at Cantilever Park.
Warrington were bidding to reach the 4th Qualifying round of the world famous competition for only the second time in their history, and the first since 1993, but were finally killed off by their higher diviosion opponents late in the game. 
Both sides strated the game slowly, looking to test the other side out and it was the fifth minute before the first chance of the game, when Warrington’s powerful striker Gavin Salmon powered a drive narrowly over Jan Budtz’s cross bar. With both sides in their change strips, due to a colour clash between both of Stalybridge’s kits and Warrington’s home kit, it was the home side that had the better of the chances, midfielder Andy Potter testing Budtz from long range before Stalybridge striker Craig Hobson forced a fine save from Town’s former Wales youth international keeper Paul Pritchard. It was no surprise when the home side took the lead in the 25th minute, when midfielder Rob Hardwick rose to head home a peach off a cross into the bottom of the net. Just a minute later Town should have gone two up, when winger Chris Gahgan’s mazy run finished with a shot narrowly across the face of the goal. Stalybridge began to raise their game, looking for an equaliser and it nearly came soon after, when striker Phil Marsh cut in from the left before bending a shot just wide of the goal. The home side were lucky not to concede a penalty soon after when Pritchard appeared to push Marsh in the box. The visitors were in complete control of the game, and almost equalised soon afterwards Hobson, holding off defender Tom Hardwick before shooting wide when well placed. Stalybridge were not to be denied and on the stroke of half time got the goald, Hobson rising to meet a fantastic cross and planting a fine header past Pritchard. The last chance of the half fell to the home side but Gahgan (pictured top) saw his shot go across the face of goal once again.
Stalybridge had the ball in the net early in the second half but saw that effort denied for offside. However it wasn’t long before they went ahead, Marsh beating Pritchard to a through ball to head home despite the best efforts of Town defender Mike Tomlinson on the line. Pritchard was called into action soon aftert to deny the visitors a chance to go further ahead, saving with his knees at the near post. Town had a great chance to equalise just after the hour mark when Potter’s shot was deflected narrowly wide by Salmon.The visitors were looking to kill the game off, but a combination of good defending and poor finishing saw the home side still in the game at 2-1 down. 
Town went close to scoring with eight minutes left when Salmon’s shot was parried then regathered by Budtz before Gahgan could pounce. The visitors sewed up the game in the 89th minute when Marsh lobbed Pritchard from the edge of the box following a poor Town clearance.
Warrington return to their bread and butter football when they take on Witton Albion at Cantilever Park, tomorrow, Tuesday, in the league cup, kick off 7.45pm.
They return to league action next Saturday in a local derby at Trafford and will be looking to return to winning ways following three defeats in a row after starting the season with a 12 game unbeaten run.
Rob Hardwick celebrates his goal
Paul Pritchard pulls off a fine save in front of the barmy army
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