WARRINGTON Town boss Stuart Mellish says his players delivered the performance he was owed in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over league leaders Buxton, writes Matt Turner.

Mike Grogan’s diving header just before half-time at Cantilever Park ensure the Yellows returned to the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off places.

Before that, Mellish watched his side fall to a dismal 4-0 defeat at lowly Skelmersdale United on Saturday but the manager says he was “delighted” with his players’ response.

“I said before the game they had to work hard because they owed us one from Saturday,” he said.

“They let us down big time on Saturday. We were really disappointed with the performance and a lot of questions were asked of them.

“We asked those questions when we spoke to them before the game and their response was different class.

“We’ve done it all season to be fair, we’ve responded to defeats by winning the next game. It shows a lot of character and desire to do the best we can which I’m delighted with.”

Town were rarely troubled and probably should have won by a wider margin, with skipper Ciaran Kilheeney missing a one-on-one opportunity in the first half before hitting the bar late on.

Mellish was particularly pleased with his side’s defensive work ahead of Saturday’s home game against Workington, kick off 3pm.

“We were compact and organised, we made them go backwards and sideways a lot which is credit to the players,” Mellish said.

“We could have possibly been further ahead at half-time, Ciaran Kilheeney had a great chance as he’s tried to lob the keeper.

“The goal we scored was a great bit of football. Scotty Metcalfe has put a fantastic cross in and Grogs has finished it brilliantly.

“It came at a time when we were starting to get in behind and causing them problems. At times like that, you have to make it count and thankfully we did.”

Warrington sprang a surprise in announcing goalkeeper Karl Wills would be on the bench for the Buxton game as Mellish opted to give new signing Jon Worsnop his debut between the sticks.

Mellish said he was pleased with the former Chester stopper’s debut and provided an update on the fitness of midfielder Gerard Kinsella, who was forced off early on Tuesday.

“We’ve been missing a bit of leadership and I believe that’s what Jon will bring,” he said.

“We’ve got big players out injured in the likes of Danny Ventre and Ben Deegan but Jon has come in with a lot of experience.

“He dominated the back four, as a back five we looked solid tonight.

“Ged was feeling his hamstring but we thought it was worth giving a go as it wasn’t too serious.

“However, as the game got going he felt it wasn’t quite right but we were forced into the early change.”

Workington visit Cantilever Park on Saturday having already beaten the Yellows once this season.

That victory came in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round as the Cumbrians recorded an easy 3-0 victory in early September, but Mellish is confident the outcome will be different on Saturday.

“They are well-organised, will work hard and are a good footballing side,” he said.

“They will come here full of confidence after beating us in the cup but we’ll really up for it after tonight’s performance.”