We piled on the pressure in the second half and had several efforts blocked alongside several saves from the Warrington ‘keeper denied us a way into the game.

Steve Chettle named just one change from the starting XI that played against Hednesford in the last pre-season game. Charlie Gatter came into the line up ahead of Lewis Carr.

We almost took the lead with just five minutes on the clock. Matt Thornhill took aim at goal from a free-kick but his effort was just wide of post, having beat the ‘keeper. Rev James was the next player to have a sight of goal. The forward got on the end of a long ball forward before seeing his effort blocked.

The visitors then grew into the game and looked to create more chances. Charlie Munro sent an effort over the bar before Matthew Regan looked to catch Kieran Preston out with a chip but our number one was equal to the effort and tipped it over the bar.

That forward momentum saw Warrington take the lead on 29 minutes. Dunn found space on the edge of the area and fired the ball into the far corner out of the reach of Preston. We did not let our heads drop after the goal and were almost level within five minutes of the restart. Summer signing Alex Howes skipped past several players before laying the ball off to James, whose deflected effort was well saved by Charles Albingson in the Warrington goal.

Up the other end Warrington extended their lead. Dom Roma gave a foul away inside the box and Dixon stepped up to convert via the post to make it 2-0 at the break.

We started the second half on the front foot with a succession of corners that saw James Clifton fire just over the bar from inside the area. The one-way traffic continued as Kane Richards forced the Warrington ‘keeper into a good stop before Thornhill saw another effort deflected away from goal.

James Carvell was the next substitute for us to try and stamp his influence on the game and he almost did within five minutes of coming on. The winger beat several players and darted into the area and pulled the ball back for Richards but his effort was deflected over the cross bar.

We continued to press forward and were almost back in the game as Richards forced Albingson into a good save but were unable to find a way through as the score stayed at 2-0.

Starting XI: 1-Preston, 2-Roma (Richards), 3- Wilson, 4- Thornhill, 5- Galinski, 6- Gatter,
7- Clifton, 8- Chettle, 9-Towle (Hines), 10- James, 11- Howes (Carvell)

Up Next: Tuesday 22 September
Away vs Chasetown (FA Cup)
Kick-off 7:45pm