CONGLETON Town new boy Craig Warrington earned the Bears an excellent point at Ashton United on Monday night.

The full back put Congleton ahead on 23 minutes when his drive from 25 yards out was deflected past the keeper by the Ashton centre-half.

Ashton earned a point with an equaliser three minutes before the break when a player fired home from five yards out after a throw in flew across the face of the Bear's goal.

Congleton dominated the first half, but Ashton fought back to control the second.

Bears' keeper Mark Winstanley pulled out an excellent save just before Congleton took the lead, and made two more top quality stops in the second half.

The 1-1 draw followed a 0-0 stalemate for Congleton in their league opener on Saturday at home to Bradford Park Avenue.

Ray Birch saw his shot tipped over, and Graham Dodd had a shot beaten out by the keeper, while Bradford had a penalty appeal turned down at the end of the first half.

The game saw league debuts for new signings Warrington, midfielder Craig Woodward, striker Rod Thornley and Lee Ellis, who came on in the second half.

Vale Juniors are due to take part in the penalty competition during half-time this Saturday at Booth Street against six under-14s from Farsley Celtic.

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