Padiham 1 Warrington Town 3

TOWN kicked off their Easter campaign with a victory that condemned bottom-of-the-league Padiham to relegation.

Goals from Chris Gahgan, Ben Wharton and Robbie Booth secured three points as Shaun Reid's side maintained narrow hopes of reaching the play-offs.

For much of the first half Padiam belied their lowly status although they had keeper Davis to thank for denying Nathan Burke from eight yards out.

It took 42 minutes for Warrington to break the deadlock as good build-up play from Steven Tames and Burke set up Gahgan to fire into the net from inside the box.

Keeper Karl Wills pulled off a fine save low down at the post on 48 minutes to ensure Town stayed in front.

Young full-back Liam Turner had a great chance to extend Warrington's lead but fired at the keeper but moments later Wharton was brought down in the box and then picked himself up to send the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0.

Four minutes later Wills was again called into action to make another fine one handed save down to his left.

Warrington made it three on 66 minutes when Gahgan turned provider, setting up Robbie Booth to fire home from the edge of the box.

With David Mannix already on for Gerard Kinsella, Warren Beattie and Ben Collins were brought into the action for Booth and Tames.

On 70 minutes Burke was denied by another fine save from Davies in the Padiham goal. Five minutes later the home side were given slight hope when a mix-up between Wills and Jay McCarten allowed substitute Massanba to pull one back.

Collins missed a great chance to make it four for Town as the keeper somehow kept the ball out in a scramble and going into added time Wills was called back into action to deny the lively Curtis Haley with his feet.

Reid's boys will seek to continue the momentum at home to Prescot Cables today, Monday, kick off 3pm, 12 points adrift of the top five.

Town: Karl Wills, Liam Turner, Tom Hardwick, Gerard Kinsella, (David Mannix) Jay McCarten, Craig Robinson, Chris Gahgan, Nathan Burke, Ben Wharton, Steven Tames (Ben Collins) Robert Booth (Warren Beattie). Subs not used: Louis Corrigan, Anthony Hickey.