Warrington Town 2 Consett AFC 0

YELLOWS survived a stern test from Northern League side Consett to reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup

Early goals from Tony Gray and Bohan Dixon got the hosts off to the perfect start at Cantilever Park, and it proved enough to win Tuesday’s replay after Saturday’s original tie in County Durham ended 3-3.

The result means Paul Carden’s side will host AFC Telford United of the National League North in the next round on Saturday, October 6.

Yellows made a poor start on Saturday – falling two goals down in the early stages – but they ensured the boot was on the other foot.

After seven minutes, Gray deliciously put them ahead when he teased the Consett defence before chipping keeper Kyle Hayes.

It was not long before the lead was doubled as a lightning counter-attack saw Dylan Vassallo release Dixon.

He strode down the left wing before calmly slotting under Hayes to put Warrington in full control.

To their eternal credit, the visitors responded well to their poor start and had their moments in the first half.

Michael Sweet did not clear the bar by much with an overhead kick, while skipper Daniel Craggs curled a free kick just over.

However, the closest they came was when Luke Carr took advantage of some soft Yellows defence to stride into the box and pull back for Michael Mackay, but Tony McMillan saved well to his right.

Richard Juul curled a shot narrowly over as Consett started the second half looking for the crucial next goal.

It nearly came for Yellows when Vassallo sprang the offside trap, but he slid an effort wide with only Hayes to beat.

Consett tried to force the issue, but were met with some belligerent Yellows defence.

At the other end, substitute Josh Amis missed a glorious chance to wrap the game up when Ben Garrity headed Vassallo’s free kick into his path, but he somehow headed wide from inside the six-yard box.

Hayes was then called into action twice in quick succession – first denying Amis as he latched onto a short headed back-pass before beating away a volley from Vassallo.

In the end, Town closed out the game with no further alarm as they move to the next round.

Warrington Town: McMillan, Duggan, Hughes (A Carden), Garrity, Roberts, Raven, Mackreth, Evans, Gray (Amis), Dixon (Dunn), Vassallo. Sub not used: Williams.