WARRINGTON Town are back on top of Evo-Stik League First Division North.

Ciaran Kilheeney's second-half strike proved sufficient for all three points at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday.

A draw for Glossop, and Northwich’s commitments in the FA Cup, means Shaun Reid's side's return to the summit is a boost as The Yellows start their defence of the Doodson Sport Cup at Premier Division basement dwellers Ramsbottom United on Tuesday.

Town made hard work of it though, a year since the memorable FA Cup first round win over Exeter in front of the BBC TV cameras.

The two pre-season favourites for the league title opened the season with a 2-2 draw at Bamber Bridge and although having been off the pace since then they came close to opening the scoring when Brett Ormerod headed over from close range.

The Yellows came close when Chris Gahgan had a shot blocked and then Lee Dovey had to make a save from his own defender to keep the game scoreless.

The pace of the opening 15 minutes was short-lived, and the rest of the first half passed with little event.

The decisive moment of the game came in the early stages of the second half.

Scott Metcalfe whipped in a curling free-kick from the right hand side, and it was glanced home by Kilheeney.

A torrential downpour then followed, and that resulted in the game becoming disjointed.

Ben Deegan had a chance to finish the game on the hour mark, poking just wide, though the better of the play was coming from the visitors.

The introduction of Michael Grogan from the bench bolstered Town’s midfield, and they gradually saw off the threat of Bamber Bridge.

In the end, they could have settled the nerves themselves by adding a second goal at the other end.

Metcalfe forced a smart stop from the goalkeeper with a direct free kick and then Nathan Burke weaved his way through the defence before scuffing his shot back to the goalkeeper with the goal gaping.

Warrington Town: Wills, Brown, McQuade, Ventre, McCarten, O’Donnell, Gahgan, Burke, Kilheeney (Wharton), Deegan (Grogan), Metcalfe. Unused subs: Robinson, Rudge, Collins.

Bamber Bridge: Dovey, Steel, Dodd, Lawler, Alexander, Platt, Booth (Linney), McKenna, Ormerod, Joel, Marlow (Wiles). Unused subs: Green, Moss, Hankin.