AS an old hero returned to Gorsey Lane, Warrington Rylands’ current vintage kept their pre-season preparations on track.

They had to deploy Plan B on Tuesday evening as their original friendly opponents – National League North side AFC Fylde – pulled out of the game, leaving them with a last-minute search for a replacement.

North West Counties League side Pilkington stepped up in a game that saw the return of Gary Kenny, the defender who captained Rylands to FA Vase glory last year.

Warrington Guardian:

Rylands' FA Vase-winning captain Gary Kenny, pictured here challenging former teammate Kane Drummond, returned to Gorsey Lane with Pilkington last night. Picture by Mark Percy

It meant Blues went from having a test against a side from the league above to being presented with a team from three tiers below them in the footballing pyramid.

An altogether different examination but one that Dave McNabb’s side passed, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal on the stroke of half-time from Aaron Morris.

The centre-half, signed from FC United of Manchester for this season, rose highest to nod home Callum Dolan’s corner and settle a game Blues generally dominated.

Openings were created but their efforts to score further goals were thwarted by a combination of a couple of things.

Their final ball was lacking on occasion and when it wasn’t, they found Pilks’ former Rylands keeper Jake Hilton in good form.

Dolan, Andy Scarisbrick, Kane Drummond and a Blues trialist all forced excellent saves from Hilton while at the other end, both Rylands stopper Graeme McCall and the trialist goalkeeper that replaced him at the break went largely untested.

Following the cancellation of Saturday’s planned friendly trip to Hebburn Town, Blues’ next pre-season tests comes on Tuesday night as they make the short trip to Bootle.