Defeat on the road for Lancaster City at Warrington Rylands

It was defeat on the road for Lancaster City as Warrington Rylands claimed all three points at the Quickline Logistics Arena in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

It was almost the perfect start from the hosts as they attacked down the right and the ball fed to Lewis Hardcastle on the edge of the box, the chance was pulled wide and a let off for Jimmy Marshall's side.

Steven Yawson expertly rounded the Rylands' keeper Luke Pilling but as the ball was looking to be heading for goal, some last gasp defending pushed the ball out for a corner. A flurry of set pieces would follow, the best chance falling to Nic Evangelinos but his effort was blocked.

Lancaster City could not convert pressure into clear cut chances and were duly punished. Warrington Rylands had a corner of their own which was perfect for Clive Smith to rise highest and unmarked to power home the opener on 19 minutes.

The Dolly Blues rallied, with Evangelinos once again thinking he had broken through the back line, but his chance was blocked once again at the last moment.

In the second half it was joint-top goal scorer Evangelinos with the best chance of the game so far. Sam Bailey with the high ball into the box, the header was on target, but gathered by Pilling.

As Lancaster City pushed forward, they left space at the back and four minutes into injury time, Ben Hardcastle drove forward and curled the ball past Brad Kelly to secure all three points and to trade places with City, now down to 5^th in the table.

Next up is another away game against a side in the play-off places, against FC United of Manchester on Saturday 20th December.