PAUL Carden says forcing a late victory against Stafford Rangers is “a big sign” for Warrington Town.

Tony Gray struck Yellows’ winner two minutes from time as they eventually saw off the league’s bottom side after falling behind just after half time.

While Carden admitted it was far from the perfect performance from his side, he praised the way they kept going to eventually force a winner.

“To be fair, it’s taken us a while to get that spirit back,” he said.

“That can spill out of disappointment at times. When things aren’t going so well, you can feel a bit sorry for yourselves but today showed the grit.

“We found a way to win the game when we didn’t really play great.

“We had more than enough control in the middle of the pitch in the first half, but final balls and decisions let us down.

“We’ve had the chance of the game that didn’t go in with Tony Gray in the first half. We’ve forced that win today, and that’s a big sign.”

It looked as though Town would become only the second side to lose to Stafford this season after Paul Bignot headed home a corner to give Rangers the lead.

Ben Garrity’s eighth goal of the season – scrambled home after visiting keeper Lewis King spilled Bohan Dixon’s cross into his path – had cancelled the goal out and gave the hosts 20 minutes to find a winner.

They needed most of it but it finally came when Gray guided Garrity’s cross into the far corner.

“It was a scrappy game on a cold and wet day,” Carden said.

“There wasn’t much free-flowing football. You could see from early on what they were about and that was killing the game.

“They’re bottom of the league so I accept they have to do whatever they can to stay in the game.

“We just seemed a bit anxious at times and it wasn’t quite going for us, but we found a way.”