Town end losing streak in Salford (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Town earn a point in Salford

10:04am Monday 15th October 2012 in Sport

Salford 1 Warrington Town 1

TOWN ended their barren run with a hard-earned point against a Salford City side that featured former Warrington players Chris Thompson, Andy Heald and Gavin Salmon amongst their number.

Manager Shaun Reid handed a debut to recent signings Andy Robertson in place of keeper Adam Judge Robbie Williams, in place of Frazer Ablett at right back. Town started well, typified by midfielder Phil Mooney shooting wide early on.

Yellows went close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute, Mooney seeing his shot parried by Salford keeper Danny Taberner before Lee McEvilly’s follow-up was blocked by the Salford defence.

The best early chance for the home side fell to midfielder Steve Yarwood, who headed wide when well placed.

The game opened up at both ends as the half progressed, Salford winger Osebi Abedaki seeing his dangerous cross put behind by Williams before Town defender Jay McCarten saw his cross sliced narrowly wide by Salford defender Jack Lane.

Salford had a great chance to open the scoring just before the half hour, only for defender Adrian Bellamy to somehow head over from close range.

As half time approached Town began to take control, Mike Reid shooting straight at Taberner before the same player put the ball wide after excellent work by colleague John Miles.

But for all Town’s control, Salford looked continually dangerous on the break and could have scored had Yarwood not shot wide when unmarked from a quick breakaway.

When Michael Douglas’ towering header hit the bar Town thought they had wasted their final chance of the half, only for livewire striker Ash Ruane to blast them into the lead three minutes into added time.

Salford emerged from their dressing room as a side transformed, but it was Town who were first to go close when Peter Dogan shot over from the edge of the penalty area.

Salford were looking dangerous, but were denied by Robertson rushing from his box to clear before Salford striker Rob Kinsella could latch onto a throughball.

Despite being under pressure Town went close to extending their lead in the 67th minute, McEvilly capitalising on hesitancy in the Salford rearguard to see his shot from the edge of the penalty area smack away to safety off the upright with Taberner well beaten.

But Town could not hold on to their lead and four minutes later the home side were level, Yarwood meeting substitute Nathan McDonald's excellent cross at the far post to head home powerfully beyond Robertson.

In fact, Salford looked more likely to find the winner in the dying moments and in the 85th minute Town were indebted to the woodwork when Yarwood’s shot rebounded to safety off the upright.

The final chances of the game did fall to the Yellows, however, but despite efforts from both Michael Reid and McEvilly Town could not find the goal that would have given them their first victory in more than a month.

Town: Andy Robertson (d), Robbie Williams (d) (Ablett, 74), Davies, Dogan (c), Douglas, McCarten, Ruane (Shipton, 58), Miles (Steve Porter (d) 64), McEvilly, Mooney, Reid.