Town stretch unbeaten run to four (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Town defeat Salford City at Cantilever Park

9:35am Monday 18th March 2013 in Football

Warrington Town 2 Salford City 1

TOWN continued their recent run of excellent form with a hard fought 2-1 win against local rivals Salford City at Cantilever Park.

Town manager Shaun Reid made four changes from the side that beat promotion-chasing New Mills in midweek, with new signings Chris Dibble, Darren Kinsey, Jon Newby and Liam Dawson coming into the starting line up for the injured Andy Robertson and Phil Doran, Andy Fowler and Ciaran Kilheeney, the latter three of whom dropped to the subs bench.

Unlike the game four days previously, Town started off well by taking the game to the visitors, who are mananged by ex-Town duo Andy Heald and Chris Thompson.

The first chance fell to livewire Town winger Ash Ruane, who poked wide when through on goal.

But Town took the lead midway through the first half, striker David Mannix seeing his powerful drive from the angle of the box well saved by Salford keeper Ritchie Branagan, who could only palm it into the path of the on rushing Jon Newby.

Town continued to control the game against a surprisingly lacklustre Salford outfit, James McCarten being next to go close when heading Newby's free kick narrowly wide.

The visitors had their first clear chance 10 minutes before the end of the half, striker Rob Kinsella beating Town's offside trap, only to square the ball when through on goal to allow Nat Kerr to slide in and clear the danger.

After this scare Town once again took control of the proceedings, and Dawson went close soon after when his fierce drive forced a fine low save from Branagan.

On the stroke of half time Town thought that they had increased their lead, Dawson latching onto a lay back from Mannix before slamming home beyond Branagan, only to see the goal ruled out by the flag of the assistant referee.

The introduction of Andy Fowler for Ash Ruane early in the second half gave Town fresh impetus going forward and two minutes later, Town increased their lead when a loose ball fell to Phil Mooney, who rounded a prone defender to slot home into the unguarded net.

After going two goals down, Salford started to get themselves back in the game, midfielder Jamie Rother shooting straight at Dibble from distance, before Fowler shot too close to Branagan.

As the substitutes were introduced into the game, chances were created for both sides.

Rother once again shot from distance, only this time placing the ball narrowly wide of the upright.

Approaching the last quarter of the game, Town once again had a goal ruled out after Mannix had been played through and his square ball was finished neatly by Fowler from close range, only to see the assistant referee's flag again raised for offside.

With just over 20 minutes to go, Salford cut Town's lead to one.

Defender Adrian Bellamy was given too much time and space to head home beyond Dibble and into the net.

As the time ran down, Salford pressed forward and went close with eight minutes left, Kinsella finding a yard of space in the penalty area only to see his goalbound effort blocked by a diving McCarten, as Town held out to secure the three points.

Town: Chris Dibble (d), Kerr, Darren Kinsey (d), Parle, Dogan (c), McCarten, Mooney, Newby (Kilheeney, 58), Liam Dawson (d), Mannix, Ruane(Fowler, 53).