Salford City 3 Warrington Town 1

TOWN fell victim to in-form Salford City as they recorded their fifth consecutive game without a win.

The game was very open to begin with and Richie Mottram was soon called into action to tip a dipping shot over the bar.

But the home side took the lead in the 18th minute when a Stuart Rudd free kick went under the wall and past an unsighted Mottram into the corner.

Town were still in the game and pushed forward looking for an equaliser, with Rob Dutton firing straight at the home keeper shortly afterwards.

And they pulled level in the 33rd minute when Jimmy McCarthy's effort took a slight deflection to go in off the post.

Both sides had half chances before half time, with Mike Grogan coming close for Town, his shot smothered by Andy Robertson in the Salford goal.

The key moment came in the 45th minute when Paul Bowes was sent off for kicking out at Rudd after the pair became tangled in a tackle.

Substitute Franny Smith was introduced for the start of the second half and he went close shortly afterwards when his drive went narrowly over the crossbar.

Town were in contol of the game and went close through McCarthy and Dutton.

But Salford began to make their extra man count and it was no surprise when they took the lead, midfielder Lathan Forrester firing an angled drive through a packed penalty area.

Town almost equalised against the run of play when Chris Gahgan's shot was scrambled off the line.

The game was ended as a contest in the 90th minute when substitute Steven Moore blasted home beyond Mottram.

Town: Mottram, Dutton, Hardwick, Kielty, Bowes, Grogan, Hadland, O'Donnell (Smith 46), Lamb (Stewart 86), McCarthy, Gahgan, subs not used: Chetcuti, Daniels.