Report: Brackley Town 0-0 Warrington Town

Warrington Town picked up a hard-fought point on the road at Brackley Town on Tuesday night as the pair played out a goalless draw at St James Park.

In a night of few clear-cut chances, the hosts grew as the game wore on but failed to find a route through a resolute Yellows backline.

The best moments of the contest fell the way of Saints forward Danny Newton, who was thwarted inside the six-yard box twice after crucial clearances from the inspired centre-back pairing of Hamish Douglas and Peter Clarke.

For the Yellows, Tuesday’s point was a welcome one as they put Saturday’s disappointing defeat to South Shields behind them with a performance born of grit and determination.

Paul Carden handed on-loan Bolton Wanderers man Noah Halford his first start in Yellows colours, in one of four changes from Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to South Shields.

Another of their returning players, Joe Rodwell-Grant, had the Yellows’ first chance of the night after the hosts conceded possession cheaply in their own defensive third. The forward tried his luck from outside the area but saw his right-footed effort sail narrowly over the bar.

In a first half devoid of real openings, the hosts’ best moment fell the way of Newton, who was left unmarked inside the penalty area to meet a dangerous cross but headed over.

Shortly after, Brackley captain Shane Byrne was given space to take on a half-volley from outside the box. His effort flew straight at Dan Atherton, who made the most routine of saves.

Newton was proving to be a handful in the final third, and it was he who met a cross from the left shortly after the half-hour. The towering forward headed back across the face of Atherton, only to see Douglas in the perfect place to divert it behind in the six-yard box.

The Yellows started the second half strongly and worked home goalkeeper Jonny Maxted for the first time, Matty McDonald’s crisp low effort from just outside the box forcing the Brackley number one into a low save.

Shortly after, the home side began to turn possession into pressure and carved out a series of presentable openings, Atherton making a smart stop at his near post before Matt Lowe lashed over on the rebound.

Connor Woods has established himself as somewhat of a set-piece specialist this season, and it was on the follow-up to another free-kick that he threatened for the Yellows. Although his initial effort struck the Brackley wall, his subsequent half-volleyed strike struck the floor then looped towards the top left corner, forcing Maxted to parry it behind.

At the other end, Atherton made a couple of routine interventions to deny Newton and Morgan Roberts, before Saints captain Byrne hit a well-struck effort from outside the box which Atherton pushed aside.

The best moment of the match went the way of the hosts with little over 15 minutes to go. Newton swivelled inside the box and fired across the face of Atherton, beating the goalkeeper but not Clarke on the goal-line.

Substitute Josh Amis almost marked another cameo with a goal by racing onto Woods’ throughball and slotting beyond Maxted, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Although pressure grew as the Saints pushed for a late winner, they couldn’t find a way through as the pair played out a stalemate in Northamptonshire.

Post-match reaction

Manager Paul Carden reflects on Tuesday's point on the road.

Match facts

Brackley Town: Maxted, Carline, Bates (Cross 71), Newton, Lowe, Lyttle, Lilly, Craig, Byrne, Hall (Abbey 90). Unused subs: Worby, Ryley, O’Sullivan.

Warrington Town: Atherton, White (Bennett 71), Gumbs, Woods, McDonald, Rodwell-Grant (Amis 65), Halford (O’Neill 77), Douglas, Miles (Amaral 90), Southern, Clarke. Unused subs: Roper.

Yellow cards: Carline (57), Hall (78), Lowe (89) / Clarke (39), McDonald (81), Southern (85)

Attendance: 525

Photo credit: Pete Keen