Warrington Town held in FA Cup after last gasp equaliser

WARRINGTON Town face a tricky FA Cup replay away at Hyde United on Tuesday evening after they were held 1-1 at Cantilever Park as the visitors grabbed a last gasp equaliser deep in injury time.

The Yellows looked to be on their way to the 3rd qualifying round thanks to a bullet header from substitute Ged Kinsella in the 69th minute, just five minutes after he had come off the bench.

But Hyde, played in the Conference not that many years ago but now play the league below Warrington, grabbed an equaliser in the 5th minute of added time through their own super sub Karl Jones.

It was no more than the visitors deserved after having their fair share of chances, although Warrington will feel disappointed that they didn’t hold on.

Warrington suffered an early setback when their leading goal scorer Tony Gray, with five goals in eight appearances, limped off in the 7th minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Ruben Jerome.

Hyde had a couple of half chances early on and Warrington’s first real shot in anger was from Rory McKeown on 30 minutes when his free kick drifted wide.

A minute later Jerome was through on goal but he was denied a goal scoring chance as he tried to pass the keeper who managed to deflect the ball with his arm.

On 34 minutes Hyde saw the ball flash across the Warrington goalmouth but no one could connect as it went out for a corner and from the resulting play Warrington somehow managed to keep the ball out during some frantic action in the box.

Hyde had another chance on 41 minutes but the referee blew up for a foul on Warrington keeper Tony McMillan.

Just before the break a Sean Williams free kick was headed over by Jerome as the half ended goaless.

Chances were few a far between during the opening exchanges after the break as Kinsella came off the bench on 64 minutes. Five minutes later he was celebrating after heading home from six yards out after Williams whipped in a great free-kick.

On 76 minutes Hyde created a great chance when Luke Porritt went on a mazy run into the Warrington box but then fired wide.

Warrington had a great chance to put the game to bed on 81 minutes when Jerome broke clear down the wing and cut inside but instead of crossing his shot was deflected for a corner which came to nothing.

With the clock ticking down deep into injury time Warrington looked to be holding out until the fifth minute of added time. The visitors broke from their own half and suddenly had five men in the box with substitute Jones burying the ball into the back of the net much to the delight of the large contingent of travelling fans behind the goal.

Now Warrington will have to try and do it all again on Tuesday evening in a bid to win the £4,500 prize money at stake, against a team riding high in confidence after a lengthy run of unbeaten games.