Prescot Cables 2 Warrington Town 1

TWO Warrington Town players were sent off in a Boxing Day defeat to struggling Prescot Cables.

Shaun Reid's side trailed 1-0 against his former club before skipper David Mannix received his marching orders 15 minutes into the second half and he was joined in the changing rooms by centre half Craig Robinson 15 minutes later.

A second goal for Prescot, third from bottom in Evo-Stik First Division North, ended the contest in the 84th minute although Steven Tames did one pull back late on while the Yellows had only nine men on the field.

The hosts took the lead after eight minutes when Sam Corlett slotted home after out pacing the Warrington cover.

Although Town had plenty of possession it was Prescot who nearly went two up on the half hour when a free-kick was headed on to the bar.

Moments later Town keepr Karl Wills saved well with his feet to deny the hosts.

Just before the break during Warrington's best spell of the game Prescot cleared two headers off the line but managed to hold on for a 1-0 interval lead.

Ben Wharton was introduced at half time for Lee Gaskell, who was returning for his first start following a hamstring injury.

But it was always going to be an uphill struggle when Mannix was shown a straight red on 55 minutes following a strong sliding challenge.

On 60 minutes Corrigan was brought on for Doughty as Prescot thought they had a second but it was ruled out by the officials who decided Cables had taken a free-kick too quickly during the substitution.

Warrington still managed to have the lion's share of possession despite being down to 10 men but still had not forced a save from the home keeper when Wharton fired wide on 65 minutes.

Things then went from bad to worse for Warrington in the 72nd minute when Robinson was shown a straight red following another strong sliding challenge.

Despite being down to nine men Warrington still pushed forward with a Burke low cross forcing the first save from the home keeper and a screamer from Scott Metcalfe hitting the outside of the post from 35 yards.

But with Warrington being stretched Prescot hit on the counter attack grabbing the all important second goal in the 84th minute when Corlett bagged his second.

A last gasp goal from Tames, who sprung the Cables off-side trap in injury time, proved too little too late for Town.

Town: Wills, Field, Hardwick, Mannix, McCarten, Robinson, Doughty (Corrigan) Burke, Tames, Gaskell (Wharton) Metcalfe. Subs not used: Beesley, Corrigan, Wharton, Gahgen, Colbeck.