WARRINGTON Town are about to get the first real test of their Evo-Stik Division One North season as they prepare for the visit of red-hot Trafford on Monday, kick off 3pm.

Helped by nine-goal striking machine Michael Oates, Trafford have won their previous two games against Ossett Albion and Wakefield 8-0 and 7-0 respectively and will represent a stern test of Warrington’s new-look defence.

First though, Shaun Reid’s men face a FA Cup preliminary match away to Atherton LR on Saturday, kick off 3pm, and they will need to be more clinical in front of goal than they were in their season opener against Ossett on Saturday.

Eight starting debuts for Town in that opener against Ossett Town inevitably led to a disjointed 0-0 performance at the Yellows’ newly named Abacus Solicitors Community Stadium, which held a division-high attendance of 273 on Saturday.

Manager Reid will have plenty to ponder after watching his new-look side start brightly, with chances from new signing Peter Doran and Ash Ruane going begging early on.

That inspired a slight revival from Ossett, but besides a Lee Bennett strike, Town’s debutant goalkeeper Adam Judge was largely quiet until after the break.

The second half began in much the same way as the first, with Warrington controlling the game but struggling to make a meaningful chance on the Ossett goal.

The introduction of former Rochdale, Accrington Stanley and Wrexham striker Lee McEvilly gave Town fresh impetus going forward, but still both teams struggled to make an impact.

A real chance for either side did not materialise until the 81st minute, when Ruane saw his free header go straight at the Ossett keeper, and neither side made the most of late chances to snatch all three points.

Town: Adam Judge (d), Peter Doran (d) Fraser Ablett (d) (Colin Flood, 59), Peter Dogan (d)(c), Michael Douglas (d), Adam Flynn (d), Phil Davies (d), Kevin Townson (Hardwick, 84), Ash Ruane (d), Michael Reid (Lee McEvilly (d)), Liam Shipton. Subs not used: Jay McCarten, Phil Mooney.