WARRINGTON Town could not have had a more disappointing start to their season on Saturday.

With a strong team out they again failed to beat Chadderton in the sides' seventh meeting together.

Manager Alan Blair said: "They were a better unit and had more desire.

"Defensively we weren't tight enough, we didn't finish the chances we had but the midfield did not create enough chances."

The writing was on the wall as early as the 10th minute when striker Jed Bushell miscued a clearance in the area which was deflected past his own 'keeper Neil McCormack.

Town went straight down the other end and Bushell was robbed of an equaliser by the goalkeeper's foot and the loose ball was cleared.

The next 20 minutes saw Town miss two headed chances. The first was from a Dave Tickle cross and Kev Tyrrel could not get enough head on the ball to steer it goalward. Andy Barr then sent a header towards the far post and the 'keeper collected.

On 40 minutes McCormack got down bravely at the feet of Chadderton's Richard Wild to block a good opportunity.

Disaster struck moments before half-time when Chadderton got their second.

Left winger Chris Barlow thundered a ball through a crowd of players in Town's penalty area from 20 yards out with McCormack unsighted.

Town started the second half looking rejuvenated and within 10 minutes Barr had narrowed the lead. He beat the off side trap to latch on to a through ball, carry it to just inside the box and then picked his spot and slotted it past the 'keeper.

But, as Town looked to be staging a fightback, Chadderton extended their lead against the run of play.

A mix up in Town's defence meant the ball bounced free to Chadderton's Glyn Billington on the edge of the area and he hit a vicious strike into the top corner with McCormack rooted to the spot.

Centre back Ian McElland, making his debut, had a header saved and then hit a stinging free kick straight at the 'keeper.

Neil Holden's introduction from the bench was marked with a fine cross that was complimented with an excellent header by Tyrrell that crashed against the crossbar and away to safety.

The final nail in the coffin was hammered by substitute Gareth Morris. McCormack left his goal to collect a low cross but missed, no defender cut out the ball and Morris had all the time in the world to send a header over the man on the line.

Team: Neil McCormack, Ian Callaghan, Steve Cartledge, Ian McElland, Mike Tandy, Andy Tague, Dave Tickle, Stewart Clay, Andy Barr, Kev Tyrrel, Jed Bushell. Subs: Neil Holden, Andy Harris, Dave Pick.

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