Mark Haines’ first goal of the season can not prevent Bishop’s Stortford succumbing 2-1 at Warrington Town in National League North
Mark Haines’ first goal of the season could not prevent Bishop’s Stortford succumbing 2-1 at Warrington Town in Vanarama National League North on Saturday (March 2).
The experienced defender, who was recently named as one of manager Steve Smith’s two new assistants along with fellow centre-back Sam Robbins, put the Blues ahead just before the hour mark.
But the promotion-chasing hosts, who are two points outside the play-offs, netted twice in the space of five minutes to turn things around at Cantilever Park.
And the visitors ended with 10 men as substitute Kane Crichlow was sent off in added time.
Bottom side Stortford are 21 points adrift of safety with only 12 matches remaining as they look set for relegation after only one season back in non-league’s second tier.
Smith’s men are due to host two of the top three in the coming days with third-placed Chorley and second-placed Scunthorpe United visiting the RDA Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday March 5) and Saturday (March 9) respectively. They are also at home to 18th-placed King’s Lynn Town next Tuesday (March 12).
Stortford captain and goalkeeper Jack Giddens made a fine save to keep out Matty McDonald’s low shot from the edge of the box before, at the other end, Aaron Greene fired over the bar after a promising dribble.
McDonald missed the target with a couple of efforts for the ninth-placed Yellows while the Blues’ Darren Foxley saw a curling effort saved by Dan Atherton.
Greene’s deflected shot went narrowly wide of the target before Giddens thwarted the hosts’ Andy White.
After the break, Greene dribbled into the Yellows’ box and, when they failed to clear their lines, Ryan Charles saw his shot flash wide.
The Blues broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when Haines found the net with a half-volley from Foxley’s corner.
Crichlow forced Atherton into a near-post save as the visitors looked to double their advantage before Josh Amis thought he had equalised for the hosts, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Harry Beadle, who was making his 50th Stortford appearance, headed a cross away, but Amis hooked the ball towards the target and Giddens produced a great reaction save at full stretch to tip it round the post.
However, the Blues switched off from the corner, which was taken quickly, and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts levelled matters from a tight angle in the 69th minute.
The Yellows had a goal from McDonald chalked off for offside from the next attack while Foxley curled a free kick over the bar for the Blues.
The hosts went ahead with 16 minutes left when Giddens parried Amis’ shot and Matty Grivosti, who had only just come off the bench, scored a tap-in with his first touch.
The Blues had a number of late free kicks, but they could not find an equaliser and Crichlow was shown a straight red card at the death for kicking out at a Warrington player off the ball.
Warrington Town: Atherton, White (booked 72; Pasiek 73), Gumbs (Walker 73), Harris (booked 38), Woods, Williams, Amis (booked 60), McDonald (Grivosti 73), Buckley-Ricketts, Wisdom, Clarke. Not used: Goudie, Gill.
Blues: Giddens, Haines, Akolbire, Kassarate, Beadle, Godfrinne (booked 42; Crichlow 61, sent off 90+3), Foxley, Olufemi, Thomas, Charles, Greene. Not used: McGregor, Oke, Lusardi, Alexander.
Referee: Richard Holmes.
Attendance: 1,003.