Warrington Town 1 Darlington 1883 4

WARRINGTON Town’s 17-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end on Saturday against fellow promotion hopefuls Darlington 1883.

Two goals apiece for David Dowson and Amar Purewal gave the visitors the points, rendering Ciaran Kilheeney’s late goal for Yellows a consolation.

Manager Shaun Reid was disappointed with the performance, but believes his side can learn from the defeat.

“Our keeper made a couple of mistakes and they became a stronger unit after going 2-0 up,” said Reid.

“They will be up there; financially they are way ahead of everyone and they are getting the sort of crowds you get at Football League games.

“That’s ultimately what they are aiming for – to get back Football League status again – but we’ll dust ourselves off and go into the next game with Lancaster.

“I can’t criticise the boys as they have given absolutely everything this season. It’s just wasn’t our day.”

Darlington broke the deadlock when Chris Gahgan’s sloppy pass was pounced on by Dowson, who went through one-on-one and scuffed an effort through the hands of Josh Cook.

Dowson added a second on 27 minutes, bringing down a lofted through ball before cutting inside Craig Robinson and firing left-footed into the bottom corner.

Purewal headed beyond Cook after the break, adding his second when he was again allowed to nod home unmarked from a corner.

The Yellows mustered their single shot on target of the match in the final minute, Kilheeney springing the offside trap to lash home from Robinson’s long ball to send the 443-strong crowd home with something to cheer.

Warrington: Cook, Davies, Thompson, Meakin (Newby), McCarten, Robinson, Ruane, Mannix, Kilheeney, Evans (Bowen), Gahgan (Dogan). Subs not used: McKenna, Guest.