Warrington Town 2 Ebbsfleet United 0

YELLOWS produced the shock of the FA Trophy second round, seeing off National League side Ebbsfleet United in a replay at Cantilever Park.

Tony Gray and Jamie McDonald struck in the second half as Paul Carden’s side booked a last-16 trip to National League South outfit Wealdstone.

The visitors, perhaps with the post-match criticism from boss Daryl McMahon still ringing in their ears from Saturday, started quickly.

They kept Town keeper Ben Ascroft busy, with Sean Shields’ trickery getting him into the area and forcing a save with a low shot.

Danny Kedwell then stung the stopper’s palms from distance, before Aaron McLean’s dangerous cross was pushed away with Myles Weston waiting to convert at the far post.

However, having soaked up the early spells of pressure and possession, Yellows grew into the game and started to assert themselves.

On-loan Tranmere winger Devarn Green was the home side’s most promising outlet, whipping a dangerous ball across the area which McDonald only just failed to connect with.

Despite Green limping off with what looked like a hamstring injury shortly afterwards, Yellows continued to finish the half strongly.

They struggled to create a clear opening, however, with Sean Williams hitting the Ebbsfleet wall with a free kick before Will Hayhurst sent another set-piece over the bar on the stroke of half time.

Yellows started the second half as they ended the first, and soon their persistence paid off.

Hayhurst found McDonald having intercepted the ball in midfield. The striker looked to be felled in the area, but the ball fell kindly for Gray to stroke home.

Ebbsfleet almost found an immediate response as McLean found himself in on goal, but Ascroft produced an excellent save with the ball looking like going past him.

Indeed, Yellows had a glorious chance to double their lead when Gray flicked on a corner to find Liam Goulding unmarked at the far post, but the centre-back somehow put the ball over the bar.

Ascroft then almost came acropper when he spilled Shields' shot, but Adam Carden reacted quickest to poke the ball away before McLean could tap in the rebound.

Shortly afterwards, though, the crucial second goal came as Hayhurst’s shot was parried by Nathan Ashmore, but McDonald was there to convert the rebound.

Ebbsfleet looked shell-shocked and switched to three at the back in order to exert more attacking pressure, but Yellows’ defence was imperious.

Hayhurst tested Ashmore with a shot from outside the area as the wind and hail descended on Cantilever Park.

With the breeze in their favour, the visitors sent more long balls towards the Yellows penalty area, but to no great alarm as Town held on for a famous win.

Warrington Town: Ascroft, Adam Carden, McKeown, Williams, McCarten, Goulding, Green (Kinsella), Vassallo, McDonald, Gray (Bakkor), Hayhurst (Beeley). Subs not used. Barnes, Milne.