FIRST and foremost, this was an enthralling FA Cup tie.

Wonderfully open and played at high intensity, each of the near 1,300 in attendance got their money’s worth.

The fact these two will meet again in the BetVictor Northern Premier Division on Tuesday night can only be a treat for the neutral.

In terms of the cup though, and the financial rewards it can provide, it is Warrington who creep ever closer to the main draw.

> 'It had a bit of everything' - Yellows boss on their FA Cup victory

They have made a habit of thriving in front of big crowds and in front of another one at Broadhurst Park, they did so again as their superior composure won them the game.

Warrington Guardian:

What it means to score an FA Cup winner - Mark Roberts celebrates. Picture by John Hopkins

Yellows may have ceded a lot of possession, but they were finding plenty of space and encouragement going forward.

FC were struggling to pick up Tony Gray’s ghost-like movement while Ben Garrity was thriving on charging into the spaces he left ahead of him.

Town’s midfield dynamo has more pace than he is given credit for and it got him in behind the home defence plenty of times – his efforts should have yielded at least one goal.

At the other end, FC’s tactic was clear – hit the channels early to utilise their mobile front three of Tunde Owolabi, Regan Linney and Nialle Rodney.

The former of that trio in particular was causing Mitch Duggan plenty of problems with his pace and power, encouraged by the constant chorus of home support from behind the goal.

It was Linney who manufactured their opening goal however – Dave Raven offered no complaints as referee Richard Eley adjudged him to have tripped the striker in the box and while Tony McMillan got a hand to the penalty, Linney was left celebrating.

Those celebrations lasted just two minutes, though, as Duggan escaped from his trial by pace to crash in a superb long-ranger to level matters.

Warrington Guardian:

Mitch Duggan thunders in a superb equaliser. Picture by John Hopkins

Both keepers were well-employed in a first half that could conceivably have ended with many more goals – a sign of what a raucous, open game this was.

Jack Dunn could not have scripted a better game for his first back from injury – the wide, open spaces would have suited him down to the ground.

However, after just 15 minutes, down he went again and his race was run – a real shame for a man who can turn a game in an instant but has been plagued by injuries.

FC were still threatening in attack, but now they were being supported by their industrious midfield who were starting to dominate the second balls.

Still, that did not mean they could afford to switch off at a set piece.

They did, and Yellows made them pay.

Garrity – always such a threat in dead-ball situations – flicked on expertly and Mark Roberts could hardly miss.

Warrington Guardian:

Mark Roberts heads home the winning goal. Picture by John Hopkins

That succeeded in quietening the Red Rebel choir and the life seemed to drain from their team.

It would have been easy for Town to slip into preservation mode, but far from it. If anything, they had the clearer chances after taking the lead as FC lacked punch.

More of the same on Tuesday, please!