Tetley Walker...0

Warrington Town...1

WARRINGTON Town closed the gap on the North West Counties League Division Two leaders by winning, possibly the last, Warrington 'derby.'

Watched by a record Long Lane crowd of 251 both sides started the Easter Monday encounter in lively fashion, each forcing corners in the opening minutes.

Town settled more quickly and created a number of chances in the opening quarter of an hour before taking the lead in the 18th minute.

Dave Pick reacted first to force the ball into the Tetley net from close range after Tetley had failed to clear a corner.

Two minutes later Tetley had a penalty claim dismissed by the referee after Town goalkeeper Neil McCormack pushed Neal Smith.

Table toppers Tetley Walker started to take control of the game and although never at their best dominated the second half.

Tetley started the second half by forcing a series of corners and in the 53rd minute saw Jimmy Collins scrape the top of the cross bar with a 25-yard piledriver.

Town's defence, led by the outstanding Steve Cartledge, held firm under Tetley's barrage as the home side started to rely on pumping high balls into the Town area instead of playing their usual passing game.

On the occasions that Tetley breeched Town's defence they found their former net minder McCormack in inspired form.

McCormack made a number of top class and brave saves to deny Tetley, including one at point blank range to foil Andy Flood.

While Tetley were pushing forward, Town were always dangerous on the break, and nearly doubled their advantage in the 80th minute when Mike Heverin headed against the post.

With both teams involved in the Championship race, which will have many twists and turns to come, the closing weeks of the season will be an exciting time for football fans in Warrington.

The championship race continues for both sides on Saturday when Tetley Walker travel to Holker Old Boys and Warrington Town play Castleton Gabriels in their final home game of the season. Both games kick off at 3pm.

Tetley's next home game is on Thursday, April 26, when Alsager visit Long Lane for a 6.15pm kick-off.

Tetley: Williams, Walmsley, Dermott, Flood, Webster, J. Collins, Bickerstaffe, Smith, Woodyer, Corns, Roby. Subs: Jones, Ellaby, D. Collins.

Town: McCormack, Moore, Cartledge, Pick, Callaghan, Tague, Preidt, Tickle, Heverin, Holden, Hennessey. Subs: Moores, Hives, Chadwick.

North West Counties League Division Two top 10

P W D L F A Pt Nelson... 33 19 9 5 76 36 66 Tetley Walker... 33 20 5 8 71 34 65 Warrington Town... 32 19 6 7 72 26 63 Blackpool Mechs... 33 18 6 9 71 38 60 Squires Gate... 32 17 5 10 61 41 56 Atherton LR... 29 16 3 10 57 40 51 Chadderton... 30 14 6 10 58 47 48 Padiham... 28 14 3 11 63 63 45 Alsager... 27 12 8 7 33 28 44 Stone Dominoes... 28 13 4 11 47 41 43