Warrington Town 2

Holker Old Boys 3

AN injection of new blood into the side failed to revive Town's fortunes as they meekly surrendered to relegation strugglers Holker.

New signings Billy Mathieson and Rob Hilton appeared in the starting line-up along with veteran defender Ian Callaghan, who has returned after two years with Runcorn.

But the newcomers could not stop the rot as Town continued to lack attacking thrust or defensive cohesion.

All the more infuriating for the fans was the brief spell of good work towards the close of the first half in which the home side did well to recover from a two goal deficit.

They failed to maintain this improvement after the break and the visitors were allowed to steal the points in a scrappy encounter.

Holker took the lead after 25 minutes when Derek Birrell chipped 'keeper Alan Thomson, Callaghan failed to clear when the ball hit the post and Glyn Dixon swept the ball into the net.

It took the visitors just two minutes to double their lead. Colin Woodburn broke on the right, drew the 'keeper and put through Birrell to score in an empty net.

Paul Anderton hit back for Town, getting on to the end of a Lee Holden cross as he was left unmarked in the box and placing his header beyond the 'keeper's reach in the top corner after 39 minutes.

Five minutes later it was all level after the Holker 'keeper pushed hard-working Kevin Tyrrell over in the box. Tyrrell brushed himself off and fired the spot kick home.

Holker took the points when Graham Clark crashed the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the box 15 minutes from time.

Midfielder Mathieson looked the most promising of the debutants, but Hilton looked unconvincing up front and Town look set to continue while they lack attacking edge.

Team: Alan Thomson, Lee Holden, Ian Callaghan, Ian Owen, Ian Langton, Danny Glass, Billy Mathieson, Andy Swift, Paul Anderton, Kevin Tyrrell, Rob Hilton.

Town play Atherton Colleries away tomorrow, Saturday.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.