TWO debutants made immediate impacts as Warrington Rylands belied travel issues to move a step closer to booking a play-off spot.

Delays in making the long trip to Morpeth Town resulted in kick off being pushed back, but the journey home will be a sweet one having secured a 3-1 victory.

Ollie Shenton, who signed on loan from Chorley earlier in the week, marked his Blues bow with the opener and while the hosts levelled matters through Andrew Johnson, Ben Hardcastle's goal on the stroke of half time re-established the lead.

Another debutant then sealed victory late on as Sam Burns added a third to extend their cushion inside the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off spots to eight points with just five games remaining.

"I’m delighted for those two, and for the group," player/interim co-manager Sam Wilson said post-match.

"They’re an absolute pleasure to deal with.

"The first goal was outstanding because it’s been something we’ve been working on for a few weeks in terms of committing bodies into the box and being really patient with our execution when we get in there.

"Sam was then in the right place at the right time for his goal, but that’s just striker’s instinct."

On the delayed kick off, he added: "These things happen when you’ve got a long trip planned over the Easter weekend.

"Unfortunately, there was a bad accident. We got here at quarter past two so it wasn’t the ideal preparation, but every credit to the lads and thanks to Morpeth as well for allowing a delayed kick-off."

There is little time to rest for Rylands, with a huge home game against play-off rivals Marine immediately on the horizon on Easter Monday.

Indeed, all four sides within the play-off spots are playing each other on the day, with Hyde United hosting Macclesfield.

However, Wilson insists the lack of preparation and rest time is no excuse for his side.

"When you get three points, you’ll always have tonnes of air in your tyres irrespective of the gap between games," he said.

"Had we lost, you might feel you’re running uphill but there will be no excuses from us about the turnaround.

"It’s the same for Marine and everybody else, so we’re looking forward to another tough game."

Rylands: Pilling, Smith, Brockbank, Neild, Butler, Furman, Hardcastle, Shenton (Hough), Cockerline, Touray (Duffy), Burns (Baillie). Subs not used: Swaby-Neavin, Pedro