Ramsnottom...2 Warrington Town...0

WARRINGTON Town's five-game winning streak came to an end with a lacklustre performance against Ramsbottom in North West Counties League Division One on Tuesday.

Town had been outstanding on their travels this season, winning four of their five games away from home.

So manager Alan Blair would have been confident of picking up at least a point against a Ramsbottom side languishing in the bottom half of the table.

But too many of their star players had an off day. The defence was at sixes and sevens, the midfield gave the ball away too often and the strike force of Mike Heverin and Chris Moores, who have been so prolific in recent weeks, squandered several clear-cut chances in the 2-0 defeat.

However, Steve Cartledge gave a commanding performance at the back in the absence of Mr. Consistency' Lee Webster who missed out through work commitments.

Blair said: "This was our worst performance of the season. Ramsbottom were there for the taking but we lacked sharpness all over the field and we deserved to lose.

"Having said that we still had enough chances to win. Chrissy Moores should have had a hat-trick with the amount of chances he had and Mike Heverin fluffed a few chances as well.

"But I don't want to criticise the strikers too much. They have been excellent this season."

Town started the game poorly but they gradually found their feet as the first half wore on.

Town looked a different side at the start of the second half and had it not been for shocking finishing by Heverin, Moores and Andy Moore they would have had the three points sewn up with half an hour left to play.

As it was, Ramsbottom took the lead through a 30-yard shot that skidded along the turf and slipped through Neil McCormack's hands.

They went 2-0 up via a quality header by Russell Brierly, who was left unmarked at the far post.

Blair added: "It's up to the players now to bounce back and redeem themselves in our next league game against Glossop on Saturday."

The Glossop game will kick-off at 3pm and on Tuesday Town play Skelmersdale in the Liverpool Senior Cup first round, 7.45pm kick-off. Both games will be played at Cantilever Park.