TOWN travelled to Leigh, just four days after knocking the same opponents out of the FA Cup, but this time found themselves beaten by the odd goal as they went down 3-2.
But Warrington showed plenty of fighting spirit as they battled back from being three goals down early in the second half.
The home side, playing at Chorley due to their own ground being unavailable, came out of the blocks very quickly, taking control of the game, forcing Town keeper Richie Mottram into an early scrambling save. The home side took the lead in the 14th minute when former Blackburn and Bolton striker Matt Jansen rose to head home, past Mottram, who was unable to grasp the ball cleanly.
Town should have equalised less than 60 seconds later, Chris Gahgan poking the ball wide when he only had the keeper to beat. Leigh should have gone further ahead but winger Tom Ince, inexplicably, side footed wide when it appeared easier to score. The home side went further ahead when midfielder Jack Dorney found the bottom corner after a jinking run and neat finish. Chris Gahgan, had a half chance shortly afterwards, but was dispossessed by the last defender.
The introduction of Jimmy McCarthy shortly after half time, gave Town some impetus going forward, and Town were denied a penalty shortly afterwards despite an obvious pulling back of full back Lee Smith.
Shortly afterwards, the home side went further ahead, when Jansen’s shot found the net after the Town defence stood static appealing for a hand ball. McCarthy then saw his effort saved by Steven Drench in the Leigh goal. With a little over 20 minutes, Town got back into the game, when Chris Gahgan was pulled over the box, with the same player getting up to blast the penalty beyond Drench. Town should have pulled another goal back, when McCarthy shot wide when through on goal.
Town were now pushing hard to try and get back in the game, and were denied by an excellent double save by Drenchwith Town keeper Mottram doing the same shortly afterwards. Town pulled another goal back, when captain Mike Tomlinson, flicked home a back heel from a corner after a shot was drilled through a crowd of players. Try as the might, Town could not find the equalising goal but showed plenting of fighting spirit after a poor first half.
Pictures show goal scorer Chris Gaghan taking on the Leigh defence.
Town: Mottram, Smith (Grogan, 58), Kinsey (McCarthy, 48), Hardwick, Tomlinson, Taylor, Hadland, O’Donnell, Connolly (Smeaton, 80), Dutton, Gahgan, Subs not used: Chetcuti, Bowes
