FC Halifax Town 2 Warrington Town 0

WARRINGTON Town’s FA Cup adventure ended at the final qualifying stage as National League side FC Halifax Town proved too hot for them to handle in their replay on Tuesday.

Jordan Preston’s goal straight from a corner gave the hosts a half-time lead which was doubled by Dayle Southwell after the break at The Shay as the two-division gap between the sides proved too much to bridge.

They move on to a trip to League Two side Morecambe in the first round proper, while Paul Carden’s side were left to reflect on their failure to make the most of their dominance in Saturday’s 2-2 draw in the original tie at Cantilever Park.

READ: Paul Carden's post-match reaction

Warrington fell behind early on Saturday, and that was the case again in the replay.

The goal came in bizarre circumstances as Preston’s low corner deceived everyone and beat Tony McMillan at his near post.

Town had settled well up to that point, but the opener proved the catalyst for the Shaymen taking control of proceedings.

Indeed, they almost doubled their lead straight after the restart as Southwell played in Jonathan Edwards, but he clipped an effort just wide.

Some superb skill from Jacob Hanson then took two Yellows players out of the game, but his right-wing cross was steered wide by Southwell.

Matty Kosylo, whose goal rescued a replay for ‘Fax on Saturday, then chipped over after the hosts sliced Yellows open again.

At the other end, Warrington’s first effort on target came from Tony Gray as he found space on the edge of the area, but his curling shot was easy for Sam Johnson in the home goal.

David Raven then produced several blocks – including three in succession to deny Edwards, Kosylo and Southwell – in first-half injury time as Town were thankful to go into half time only one goal down.

After a quiet start to the second period, Halifax slowly reasserted themselves and doubled their lead just after the hour mark.

Kosylo’s trickery got him into an advanced position and he pulled back for an unmarked Southwell to score.

Substitute Bohan Dixon then fired a free kick straight into the wall as Yellows tried to find a response, while the same player then had a shot blocked by his own man after a free kick was sent back into the box by Ben Garrity.

Ultimately, Halifax saw the game out relatively comfortably as their superior fitness and technical ability shone through.

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