WARRINGTON Town fought back from having a man sent off inside the first 10 seconds to rescue a heroic point against South Shields.
Mitch Duggan’s header from Sean Williams’ corner saw Mark Beesley’s men complete a fine comeback having fallen 2-0 behind in the early stages following a nightmare start.
The game was only eight seconds old when Andy White hauled John Lufudu to the floor inside the penalty area, with referee Gareth Thomas awarding a penalty and showing White a straight red card.
Robert Briggs converted the penalty and was given the chance to repeat the trick shortly afterwards when Dec Walker was penalised for handball. Dan Atherton saved his spot kick, but Paul Blackett swept home the rebound to put the visitors in a seemingly insurmountable position.
However, the fightback began before half time when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts robbed Shields defender Gary Liddle and strode through to finish off the post.
Read Matt Turner's verdict on proceedings here
ONE thing you cannot doubt about this Warrington Town squad is their spirit.
Plenty have questioned their quality this season as well as their smarts, and no doubt they did when Andy White received his marching orders after just eight seconds.
While it was remarkably not the first time in recent months they have lost a man inside the first minute of a match, this time they lost the lead as a result of Robert Briggs’ penalty after White switched off from the kick-off to allow John Lufudu around him before dragging him to the floor.
Plans were in tatters and when Paul Blackett doubled the lead shortly afterwards after another penalty had been awarded – this time Dan Atherton saved Briggs’ spot-kick only for Blackett to swoop on the rebound – they were facing a potentially ugly scenario.
They could have been swept up in self-loathing as the crowd howled their disapproval of referee Gareth Thomas’ involvement in the game, but they instead chose to take stock and slowly build their way back.
They needed things to go their way and their foothold was presented to them somewhat as Isaac Buckley-Ricketts robbed Gary Liddle to score, but they now had something to build on.
Staying in the game was paramount and Mark Beesley had to time his tactical interventions perfectly. They did, and he did.
Introducing Josh Amis for his first league appearance of the season always felt likely at some point and after he came on midway through the second half, the game changed in their favour.
The platform he gave them allowed them to move further up the field and meant the South Shields centre-halves had something else to think about.
It was him that won the corner for Mitch Duggan to nod home the leveller and he even could have won it in injury time, only for Myles Boney to stand tall and save after the big striker had gone through one-on-one.
And so their mini-unbeaten run stretches to three league matches, with two draws gained out of adversity.
Things will continue to be tough, with a suspension for White now to add to their injury list, but they can only be heartened by their responses to what has been put in front of them.
Warrington Town: Atherton, Walker, White, Woods (Amis), Williams, Dixon, Buckley-Ricketts (Hannigan), Duggan, Wisdom, Grivosti, Clarke. Subs not used: Goudie, Buckley, Bennett
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel