Report: Darlington 2-2 Warrington Town

Josh Amis came off the bench to score twice as Warrington Town came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Darlington.

The Yellows captain slotted home early in the second half to give his side hope and then struck a wonderful left-foot half-volleyed equaliser to take his tally to four goals in five games, all off the bench, since his return from injury.

He could have had a hat-trick but for the intervention of goalkeeper Peter Jameson towards the end of a proverbial game of two halves.

A double substitution at half-time and a change in system by Paul Carden ultimately swung the game in Warrington’s favour after they had trailed 2-0 at the break.

The game started in an open manner, both sides having half chances, Connor Woods denied by a routine Jameson stop and his opposite number Dan Atherton was even better in denying the excellent Caden Kelly.

The young Sunderland loanee was finding a lot of space on the Darlington left, and it was that side that proved the route to the first goal.

It was veteran left-back Scott Barrow marauding forward, playing a one-two with Cedric Main, and then continuing his run in to the box that unsettled the Yellows defence, and though Atherton managed to divert the ball away from him, it also slipped past Peter Clarke to Andrew Nelson who only had to sidefoot in to the empty net.

The hosts then took charge of the game, Barrow having a volley headed off the line by Andy White, although a mighty goalmouth scramble at the other end off a Woods corner almost presented an opportunity for a Yellows equaliser.

A Yellows player did find the net on 38 minutes, unfortunately for defender Murphy Bennett it was his own, as he cleanly headed Nelson’s first time cross in to the corner under pressure from Main.

Carden had been forced in to a change late in the first half, bringing Josh Miles on for White due to injury, and one of Miles’ first contribution was to acrobatically get back and clear Kelly’s shot off the line.

The triumvirate of Amis, Woods and Matty McDonald was soon causing Darlington problems, and on 56 minutes, they had created a path back in to the match.

Woods released Amis through on goal and he slotted home right footed past the onrushing Jameson.

The trio linked up again a minute or two later, though Woods couldn’t get enough power in to his first time shot he was attempting to steer inside the far corner.

Although the Yellows were the better side in the second half, Darlington gave the occasional reminder of their threat, Atherton making a smart double save to deny Main and Kelly.

Woods was twice denied close to the line by Kallum Griffiths before seven minutes from time the equaliser came, in some style.

Fellow half-time substitute Mikey O’Neill clipped a ball forward for Amis, who brought the ball down with his chest and then lashed home a left-foot volley in to the top corner for 2-2.

The Yellows sensed an opportunity to win the game, and only a strong right hand from Jameson denied Miles a goal at the near post.

And then in the final minute, it looked like the story was complete for Amis as Jay Harris’ reverse pass released him on goal, only for Jameson to come out and make a superb one-on-one save and keep the score tied.

Post-match reaction

Manager Josh Amis gives his assessment of Saturday's point on the road.

Match facts

Darlington: Jameson, Barrow, Lees, Forbes, Main (Maskell 77), Nelson, Flint, McGowan (Salkeld 77), Griffiths, Alshabeeb (Leesley 66), Kelly (Cornish 77). Unused subs: Small.

Warrington Town: Atherton, White (Miles 43), Gumbs, Harris, Woods, McDonald, Rodwell-Grant (Amis 45), Bennett, Dixon (O’Neill 45), Douglas, Clarke. Unused subs: Amaral, Halford.

Goals: Nelson (21), Bennett OG (38) /Amis (56, 83)

Attendance: 1,563