Warrington Town 0

Salford City 2

ONLY conceding two goals to moneybags Salford could be considered to be something of a success for Warrington Town, specially after having their goalkeeper sent off.

High flying North West Conties Division One side Salford, who had scored 13 goals in their previous two games, only broke the deadlock of Saturday's Worthington Challenge Cup last 16 tie in the 62nd minute.

And they only added one more in the final 20 minutes when substitute defender Steve Cartledge was the emergency netminder following Terry O'Hanlon's dismissal for handling outside of the area in a one-on-one situation.

For Town, who were missing suspended midfielder Steve Lathom and cup-tied striker Neil Smith, it was their third sending off in two games.

A third change to the side which defeated Glossop North End the previous week was forced on manger Alan Blair because defender Andy Tague found out in the week that he had played through most of the Glossop game with a broken arm and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.

Both sides cancelled each other out in a first half of few chances but the game came to life after the break.

Town striker Mike Heverin stabbed a shot inches wide after chasing a perfectly weighted ball over the top and two minutes later livewire midfielder Dave Tickle swung on the turn and hit a post.

Warrington's pressure failed to bring a goal and Salford twice broke away to seal victory.

Winger Matty Hughes supplied the pass for the league's leading scorer Chris Wilcox to fire home in the 62nd minute and, after Town had been reduced to 10 men, Hughes finished the game off with a cracking first time strike that would have given no goalkeeper a chance of saving, never mind SOS man Cartledge.

Town: Terry O'Hanlon, Dave Pick, Mark Ashton, Paul Davies, Lee Webser, Paul Hives, Jamie Cavanagh, Dave Tickle, Mike Heverin, Chris McDonagh, Andy Moore. Subs: Steve Cartledge, Liam Sweeney, John Main.

Town play Salford again on Saturday, away in the league, kick-off 3pm.