Promotion hopes down to Wire

WARRINGTON could not get the point they needed to finish second in the Northern Premier League and will now be at home to Grantham in the play-offs on Tuesday night.

The Wire fans travelled in numbers, desperate to see them finish the regular season with a bang.

And those that made the trip from Merseyside were in good voice when their team took the lead on 14 minutes.

A great run by Mekhi Lecock-McLeod – the match’s outstanding player – took him past two Stourbridge players and he crossed low for Joseph Piggot to turn the ball home.

The Glassboys did look dangerous as well, particularly from corners.

And it was from one of these set-pieces – taken expertly by Chris Gallagher – that they equalised on 43 minutes.

Gallagher swung the ball into the box for Leon Broadhurst, who steered his header into the far corner of the net.

A minute later last season’s play-off finalists stunned their visitors and the mass Warrington following.

Stourbridge went ahead when Luke Benbow backheeled the ball home from inside the area after being set up by Luke Shearer.

The second half was also fairly even, with chances few and far between as Stourbridge defended their lead resolutely against a team who put a lot of pressue on in search of an equaliser.

William Hayhurst came closest, on 52 minutes, only to see his shot well saved by Matt Gould.

It means Warrington finished behind Ashton United on goal difference, with just two points separating the four teams to have reached the play-offs.

The Glassboys placed 11th for the season, securing 62 points.