JORDAN Buckley's 18th goal of the season helped Warrington Town jump back into the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off spots on Tuesday evening.

The frontman scored Yellows' second goal as they saw off Cheshire neighbours Nantwich Town at Cantilever Park to end a four-match winless run.

They led from the third minute when Dabbers defender Matty Devine headed Sean Williams' free kick past his own keeper.

They could not quite see out their first clean sheet since November as Connor Heath pulled one back for the visitors in injury-time, but Town saw the game out without further alarm.

"I thought we were very good tonight," Yellows boss Mark Beesley said.

"We changed a few things in terms of shape and personnel and the lads who came in did really well, but we had some great chances to be out of sight.

"If I’m being ultra-critical, it should have been three or four but to be fair, their keeper made some really good saves.

"We learned from Saturday. We saw the two or three minutes after they scored out with not many scares.

"A few balls came into the box but we defended them, got around the box and then Josh (Amis) up front did great to win a foul and finish the game."

Warrington Guardian:

Yellows attack from a corner. Picture by Karl Vallantine

Eyebrows were raised when the Yellows' team news saw skipper Mark Roberts dropped to the bench, with Evan Gumbs brought in to partner Matt Regan in defence.

Striker Josh Amis took on the captain's armband and Beesley was full of praise for his performance.

"He’s been very good for six games. Probably since I took over, he’s been outstanding," he said.

"At times we’ve looked to rest him and probably from his point of view, he shouldn’t be rested.

"He will probably be rested again down the line but he’s got outstanding leadership qualities and I thought he led from the front.

"He’s good foil for Jordan (Buckley) as he holds the ball up and brings others into play. He sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves."

In scoring for the second game in succession, Buckley took his goal tally for the season to 17 in the league and 18 in all competitions.

He jointly leads the division's goalscoring charts with Whitby Town's Jacob Hazel and after a tough month, Beesley hailed the way the striker keeps going.

"He's had a difficult month – he’s had Covid, little niggly injuries and things going on off the pitch, but he keeps bouncing back," he said.

"He wants to improve, he wants to get better and score goals.

"He’s probably disappointed not to have the match ball – he missed a sitter in the first half which everybody in the ground would have their house on him scoring – but he’s come back and scored the decisive goal."

Additional reporting by James Gordon