Colne 0 Warrington Rylands 2

Andy Scarisbrick's diving header less than a minute into the second half opened the game up after they were initially frustrated by their hosts, who were hampered early by striker Dean Ing's sending-off for an elbow.

Kane Drummond then added a second goal to secure a fourth successive victory.

Blues' win saw them leapfrog Marine into second in the NPL West Division table after the Crosby side - beaten 2-0 by Dave McNabb's men on Saturday - lost at home to Mossley.

They trail leaders Workington, who won 2-0 at City of Liverpool this evening, by four points.

Kane Drummond celebrates Rylands' second goal at Colne. Picture by Mark Percy

Listen to Blues boss Dave McNabb's post-match thoughts below

Read sports reporter Matt Turner's match verdict below

THESE types of victories are the ones that earn you play-off places, and maybe even league titles.

Cold Tuesday nights on difficult pitches against opponents determined to give you a bloody nose – the kind of tests promotion hopefuls down the years have slipped up trying to pass.

On this occasion, though, Warrington Rylands came through to see off their belligerent, 10-man hosts.

Credit has to go to Colne for initially frustrating their visitors following Dean Ing’s early red card.

The decision of referee Lewis Dawson to dismiss the striker for an elbow on Rick Smith was certainly a contentious one, but it set the tone of the game.

Even before the sending-off, the hosts were organised and Rylands struggled to play through them.

Rylands struggled to break Colne down in the first half. Picture by Mark Percy

The red card only sharpened their focus and going in at the break level was the least they deserved – they may even feel they should have gone in ahead having hit the frame of Graeme McCall’s goal.

Blues were lethargic and barely tested home stopper Hakan Burton before the interval but turned around in the knowledge they would have the significant Holt House slope in their favour as well as the weight of numbers.

It took them less than a minute after the restart to take advantage and it was as if Andy Scarisbrick’s well-improvised finish lifted a noticeable weight from his teammates’ shoulders.

Andy Scarisbrick is congratulated after scoring the opening goal. Picture by Mark Percy

They moved the ball around with more authority and confidence, and it looked like a second goal was inevitable for a long time before it eventually came via Kane Drummond’s sharp effort.

By contrast, Scarisbrick’s goal visibly crushed the home side – a half’s good work undone in mere seconds.

It was a goal the midfielder deserved for a lively display, with his piercing runs and slight of foot causing no end of problems.

Andy Scarisbrick's goal was just reward for a lively midfield display. Picture by Mark Percy

With Marine’s downturn in form continuing, Blues have now taken up position as the principal challengers to league leaders Workington.

There will be plenty of twists and turns to come but if they can sustain this current form, a title challenge is far from out of the question.