Ashton United 2 Warrington Town 1

A FIRST-HALF red card proved to be Town’s downfall as they slipped to a second defeat in a row on Boxing Day.

The loss to Ashton United means Paul Carden’s side now slip into the bottom half of the Evo-Stik Premier Division table, five points behind Blyth Spartans in the final play-off place.

Yellows started the game at Hurst Cross well, forcing a succession of early corners in windy conditions.

Lewis Codling and Scott Harries both flashed shots wide before Town’s game plan unravelled before the half-hour.

Skipper Jay McCarten was adjudged to have hauled down Ryan Crowther in the area after Town were caught out by a quick free-kick. The centre-half was sent off and Matt Chadwick dispatched the resulting penalty kick.

Jon Shaw then had a header cleared off the line as Town went into the break behind and Ashton doubled their lead ten minutes after the restart.

Town were caught in possession and a cross from the left found Crowther, who headed home from close range.

The visitors pressed on, with Harries hitting the post but keeper Tony McMillan had to be alert to stop Chadwick doubling his tally at the other end.

Carden’s side did pull one back when substitute Dylan Vassallo capitalised on a defensive error to score from a tight angle, but Ashton held on for the victory.

Warrington Town: McMillan, Carden, McKeown (Vassallo), Ventre, Shaw, McCarten, Codling (Robinson), Kinsella (Deegan), Kilheeney, Harries, Metcalfe. Subs not used: Hattersley, Gillespie.