THIS could turn out to be a big moment in Warrington Town’s season.

With both of the sides above them drawing, this victory over relegation-threatened Stalybridge Celtic really puts the cat among the title pigeons.

Tony Gray’s spectacular free kick lit up the first half before he gloriously set up Dylan Vassallo for what turned out to be the winner.

Neil Kengni’s late goal made it nervy, but Town saw it through excellently to move up to second in the Evo-Stik Premier Division table.

The gap to Farsley Celtic at the top is also now down to just two points – it really is all to play for.

Attacking up a significant slope in the first half, Yellows had the better of the early openings.

Gray prodded an effort just wide before sending Jack Mackreth in behind the Celtic defence on the break.

The winger profited from Douglas Nyauoembe’s slip but rolled his effort agonisingly wide of the target.

Stalybride – often trying to find joy on the flanks and in behind – were limited in what they offered but had a decent chance of their own.

Greg Wilkinson won possession on the edge of the area and fed Josh Solomon-Davies, but the full-back lashed his shot wide.

Then, as news of Farsley being pegged back and South Shields falling behind began to filter through, Gray showed everyone how it was done.

He has already proven his prowess from dead-ball situations this season and did so again by rifling an unstoppable free kick into the top corner – his 17th goal of the campaign.

Warrington Guardian:

Stalybridge keeper Paddy Wharton is helpless to stop Tony Gray's superb free kick. Picture by John Hopkins

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Now with the slope working in their favour, Town sought about pressing home their advantage – Jack Dunn had an effort deflected wide before Ben Garrity headed over Robbie Evans’ cross.

It seemed only a matter of time until the second goal came. When it did, it owed more to some more Gray magic.

He picked up the ball deep and played a superb through ball for Vassallo, who coolly slotted into the far corner.

Town were primed to take advantage of a shaky-looking home rearguard.

Vassallo inexplicably left the ball right in front of goal and instead let Dunn’s cross run through to Mackreth, who saw a shot blocked.

Yellows have become masters of seeing out victories this season and they were clicking into that gear again, with Stalybridge having plenty of the ball but creating next to nothing.

With one eye on the Easter Monday clash with Witton Albion, Town withdrew Gray and Dunn to keep legs as fresh as possible.

Mackreth had another effort blocked as the visitors were content to wait for counter-attacking opportunities.

Then, what was looking like a routine victory became complicated.

Town did not deal with a corner and lost the first two headers before Kengni found space to guide into the far corner.

It was a route back into the game the hosts barely deserved but they struggled for further momentum as Town remained calm.

Warrington Town: McMillan, Duggan, Hughes, Garrity, Roberts, Raven, Mackreth (Benjamin), Evans, Gray (McCarthy), Vassallo, Dunn (Cusani). Subs not used: Dixon, Whittle