Warrington 2

Ashton Town 2

WARRINGTON Town's defence will have to stiffen up its act if they are to reach the final of the North Western Trains League Second Division Trophy.

Tomorrow, Saturday, they travel to Curzon Ashton to defend a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the semi-final but the side's tendency to concede sloppy goals is a big concern to manager Dave Hughes.

And particularly so while he is struggling in the goalkeeping department. Regular netminder Alan Thompson is suspended, No.2 Paul Knights has a previously arranged family commitment, new signing Neil Weaver is ineligible and the reserve team goalkeeper is injured - but he remains Town's only hope!

Hughes says: "The positive thing at the moment is that we are not giving up after giving daft goals away and I certainly feel confident that we can score at Curzon."

Twice Town fell behind to counter-attack goals on Tuesday to the side placed third from bottom in the table but pulled back each time through their lethal frontline partnership of Damien Whitehead and Kevin Tyrell.

Ashton went ahead after 10 minutes when Neil Thatcher nipped in unmarked at the far post to nod the ball home. And the Ashton striker could have had three more before the break.

The nearest Town came to scoring in the first half was through headers from corners by central defenders Elfyn Edwards and Ian Hughes but both were wide of the mark.

It was all Town after the break but chance after chance was missed until the 65th minute. Tyrell threaded a ball into the danger area for Whitehead to collect, round the goalkeeper and slot it under the despairing lunge of central defender Gareth Morris. It was his 30th goal of the season.

Town pushed forward to find the winner but fell for the sucker punch. Ashton broke away and Steven Ellaby rolled the ball to the side of Knights for winger Lee Cunliffe to thump home with six minutes remaining.

One minute from time Tyrrell rescued Town when he controlled a pass well before smashing the ball between the goalkeeper's legs from 18 yards.

Town: Paul Knights, Chris Hunt, Steve Cartledge, Ian Hughes, Elfyn Edwards, Paul Berry, Terry Nestor, Andy Tague, Kevin Tyrrell, Damien Whitehead, Paul Anderton. Subs: Ian Shaw, Ian Bold, Neal Holden.

On Tuesday Town are home to Colne at 7.30pm in the league.

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