DESPITE taking an early second half lead Warrington Town ended up on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat at promotion chasing Colwyn Bay.
Town handed a debut to new signing from Everton, Michael Stewart in defence, in a game which took place in very wet conditions, with the home side on top early on.
But it was 15 minutes before Town keeper Richie Mottram has to produce a good low save at his near post.
Bay should have gone ahead in the 21st minute when former Town midfielder Dean Canning beat Mottram to the ball, only to head over the bar.
Town eventually got into the game and saw their best chance scrambled away for a corner, after a good team move. That was the last chance of the goaless first half.
Town started the second half brightly with recent signing Richard Chetcuti forcing home keeper, Chris Sanna, into a save which squirmed under his body and narrowly away for a corner.
Warrington took the lead in the 54th minute when Jimmy McCarthy beat Sanna to the ball on the edge of the box to head into the empty net. Town pressed forward looking for another goal and went close with a dipping shot by Hardwick. The home side equalised in the 64th minute, when Rob Hopley, capitalised on a rare Mottram fumble to bundle the ball home from close range. The game was now in the balance, and one crucial minute ensured the points went to the home side. McCarthy saw his deflected shot come back off the post, only for Bay to go up the other end and take the lead, with a header by former Town striker Billy Webb. Town could have equalised in the 80th minute when substitute Phil Howard was denied by Sanna. Town pushed forward looking for an equaliser, but were hit on the counter attack when Eddie Jebb was on hand to tap the ball home after seeing an earlier Bay effort come back off the bar.
Town: Mottram, Michael Stewart (d), Hardwick, Bowes, Kielty (c), Daniels, (Smith, 82), Hadland, O’Donnell, McCarthy, (Lamb, 88), Chetcuti, (Howard, 69), Gahgan, subs not used: Dutton, Riley
