Bootle 0

Warrington Town 1 (aet)

TOWN recorded their third victory in eight days following a superbly executed strike in extra time by skipper Andy Tague at Bootle on Tuesday.

But the outcome of this North Western Trains League Floodlit Trophy first round tie should have been decided without the necessity for an added period against their higher division opponents.

Town mounted a blistering onslaught on the home goal in the closing stages of normal time going close to scoring five times.

Warrington, in subdued mood before the interval and never once testing Bootle 'keeper Colin Flood, had been sparked into life midway through the second half infused by the introduction of Terry Nestor off the bench.

Returning after a three week absence he immediately imposed his presence in midfield with his probing runs and measured through balls.

Nestor fired a 30-metre free kick narrowly wide before Mike Tandy had a shot cleared off the line by Andy Clarke and substitute Robbie Preidt volleyed wide.

Flood then excelled in blocking a powerful shot by Dave Tickle, operating in a more forward role following the appearance of Nestor, with the 'keeper doing equally well in turning behind an angled drive by Kevin Tyrrell.

Warrington finally made a decisive breakthrough with a finely crafted goal near the end of the first half of extra time.

A lofted cross field ball by Nestor from the half way line was touched on by Tickle to Tague, who promptly slammed a rising drive from 15 yards beyond Flood.

Bootle managed to cause Town only one moment of anxiety throughout the encounter when Mark Roberts forced 'keeper Neil McCormack to palm behind his low drive.

Town: McCormack, Tague, Ashton, Callaghan, Tandy, Nickle, N. Holden, (Nestor 69mins), Tyrrell, McDonald (Preidt 46mins), Cartledge, Morgan. Sub not used: L. Holden.

Town visit another first division outfit, Great Harwood, in the second round in week commencing December 5.

The side travel to Daisy Hill in the first round of the Second Division Cup tomorrow, Saturday, kick-off 1.30pm, and then face Formby at home on Tuesday in a rearranged league game.

Supporters who wish to travel with the team for the FA Vase second round game against Dunston Federation Brewery, Gateshead, on November 13 can book places on the coach with Harry Boden. Contact him on 659796. The cost is £5 per person.

COLIN SERJENT

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.