Warrington Town 2 FC Halifax Town 2

WARRINGTON Town are in the hat for the FA Cup first-round draw, but will need a replay to get past National League side FC Halifax Town.

Matty Kosylo’s equaliser rescued a draw for the Shaymen after Tony Gray’s goal looked to have won the game for a largely dominant Yellows.

Ben Garrity’s leveller after Nathan Clarke’s early opener for the visitors was the least Warrington deserved.

The sides will replay at The Shay on Tuesday, with the draw for the first round on Monday evening.

Post-match reaction from Yellows boss Paul Carden

Town's FA Cup draw with FC Halifax as it happened

A bumper crowd had packed into Cantilever Park in the hope of a cup upset, but Yellows got off to the worst possible start.

Jordan Preston floated a corner in and Clarke rose highest to plant home a header and put the Shaymen ahead.

However, from then on it was all Warrington as they controlled the remainder of the first half.

They had a strong-looking penalty appeal turned down as Jake Kirby looked to be felled in the area by Josh Staunton and Robbie Evans then had a shot cleared off the line.

At the other end, the visitors came very close to doubling their lead when Dayle Southwell’s free kick flicked the top of the crossbar.

However, the equaliser was coming, and it duly came midway through the half.

Kirby clipped a superb ball into the far post, Jack Mackreth headed it down and Garrity arrived at just the right time to smash a half-volley beyond Halifax keeper Sam Johnson.

Buoyed by drawing level, Yellows went hunting for another goal and Dylan Vassallo’s free kick forced Johnson into a superb save.

The home side forced a succession of corners and Halifax were hanging on for dear life by the time the half-time whistle came.

The game continued in the same vein after the break, and Town made their pressure pay just three minutes after the restart.

Mackreth found himself in acres of space down the right and his cross was swept home by top scorer Gray.

Only a last-ditch challenge from Skarz then denied Kirby as Town looked for a killer third goal, with Halifax struggling to find a response.

One came, though, as a result of a Yellows mistake.

Skipper Mark Roberts inexplicably left a hopeful ball forward and Kosylo nipped in behind, rounded McMillan and tucked the ball away.

Preston then skied an effort over the bar as the Shaymen then pushed for a winner they scarcely deserved, but Town hung on.

Warrington Town: McMillan, Duggan, Whittle, Garrity, Roberts, Raven, Mackreth, Evans (Beeley), Gray (Amis), Kirby, Vassallo. Subs not used: Benjamin, A Carden, George, Hughes, Williams.