Matlock Town 1 Warrington Town 3

JOE Piggott marked his full Yellows debut with a brace to allow his side to see off Matlock Town on Tuesday night and jump back into the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off places.

The striker brought in from Dundee United, who scored off the bench in Saturday’s FA Trophy defeat at Wealdstone, netted twice in the space of two minutes to cancel out Lee Bennett’s early opener for the Gladiators.

Brad Barnes’ long-range thunderbolt gave Paul Carden’s side some breathing space after the break as they held on for a valuable three points despite the sending-off of striker Tony Gray.

Victory for Yellows, coupled with Ashton United’s defeat at Altrincham, saw them rise to fourth in the table.

Carden made three changes to his side as he rotates his squad for two games in as many days, with Town due to face Winsford United in the Cheshire Senior Cup last night, Wednesday.

They got off to the worst possible start as Bennett latched onto a through ball and he lifted a finish over Warrington keeper Tony McMillan after just three minutes.

Piggott, however, vindicated Carden’s decision to start him and leave top scorer Jamie McDonald on the bench.

Three minutes after Town had conceded, he did well to control Adam Carden’s ball into the right channel, hold off a Matlock defender and slide a finish past keeper Phil Barnes.

Moments after the restart, the former Everton and Rochdale academy striker was at it again.

Dylan Vassallo found him with a perfect through ball and Piggott remained calm to place beyond the advancing Barnes.

Yellows retained the lead through to half time and just after the restart, Barnes gave them some breathing space.

After Rory McKeown’s cross was only half-cleared, the central midfielder crunched an unstoppable shot past Barnes from the edge of the area.

Yellows were forced to play out the final 25 minutes of the game with 10 men, however, as Gray was dismissed for a second bookable offence after a late challenge in midfield.

Liam Goulding did well to block a goal-bound effort as Matlock pushed for a way back into the game, but Yellows held them at bay.

Warrington Town: McMillan, Adam Carden, McKeown, Barnes, Higgins, Goulding, Beeley, Williams, Piggott (Bakkor), Gray, Vassallo (Hayhurst (Kinsella)). Subs not used: McDonald, Milne.