ROBINS STRUGGLE TO FLY AS WIRE PREVAIL

CONNOR McCarthy hit a second-half double as Warrington Town ran out victors away at Ilkeston.

The visitors had the better of a ponderous first-half on a pitch which stood up well after a rainy week.

Ruben Jerome shot narrowly wide after good work by Sean Williams, before Michael Monaghan then came close for the Wire, whocontinue their pursuit for a play-off place.

It took 33 minutes for Ilkeston to impress on home soil, when midfielder Danny Gordon swerved a shot towards goal and Tony McMillan had to make the first demanding save of the day.

Moments later, Gordon’s pass picked out Brandon Clarke whose effort fizzed wide of the woodwork.

Warrington got back into it just before the break, forcing a series of corners, with the busy Williams going close

with a 25-yard deflected effort.

On 67 minutes, Ilkeston’s Max Thornberry was dismissed for tripping Jerome, and Warrington took full advantage.

James McCarten’s free-kick was deflected before two Jerome’s shots were beaten out, only for substitute McCarthy to score from close range to give Warrington a slender lead.

McCarthy then missed two chances but finally got his second goal two minutes from time, again finding the back of the net from close range, with Ilkeston providing no reply.

Victory sees Warrington sit eighth in the Evo-Stik Premier Division table, with Ilkeston languishing back in 23rd, 11 points shy of Sutton Coldfield Town ahead of them with only Skelmersdale United in a worse position.

Club owner Nigel Harrop faced angry scenes at fulltime as he was confronted about unpaid bills. STAR MAN: Sean Williams (Warrington) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★