DESPITE dominating much of the game against 2nd placed Ossett Albion Warrington Town failed to turn pressure into points as they went down 2-1.
Town only made two changes from the cup victory at Cammell Laird with the introduction of Dave Tickle and Matthew Farrell.
Warrington came out of the blocks quickest and were soon dominating the game, with strikers Carl Rendell and Dave Thompson both being denied early on when through on goal. Thompson was denied soon after when his drive from outside the box was tipped over by Ossett keeper Neil Bennett and was once again denied by Bennett soon after.
Ossett went ahead against the run of play, when striker David Dickinson scored from the penalty spot after a foul by Andy Thomas. Town came close to equalising when Dave Thompson managed to connect with Scott Williams cross, on the slide, only to see his effort rebound off the crossbar and away to safety.
Phil Hadland was next to go close when his effort flew narrowly over the bar. Ossett almost doubled their lead in the
44th minute, when Thomas was on hand to clear a goalbound effort off the line.
Town continued to dominate the game in the second half and early chances fell to Carl Rendell, who saw his shot go across the face of goal, and to Thompson. The introduction of substitute Tom Lamb, gave Town a fresh impetus, but it was midfield general Dave Tickle who was next to go close, when his drive went narrowly over the bar.
Town got back on level terms in the 64th minute when Lamb connected with Thompson’s cross to head home despite Bennett getting a hand to the ball. Within two minutes Town were behind once again, when striker Shane Kelsey was allowed to beat Mottram at the near post following an uncleared corner. Town continued to push forward and went close shortly before the end of the game when Jimmy McCarthy met a far post cross, but his weak finish was palmed around the post by Bennett.
Town: Mottram, Toone, Farrell, Thomas (c), Tickle (McCarthy, 67), Hunter, Hadland, Daniels, Thompson (Webb, 74), Rendell (Lamb, 56), Williams: Subs not used, Fitzsimmons, Holme
