A headed goal from Danny Grannon gave Colwyn Bay a valuable 1-0 win at Warrington to keep them second in the table. And with Curzon Ashton and Skelmersdale United holding each other to a 1-1 draw and Leigh Genesis losing at Harrogate Railway, the Bay have further consolidated their challenge for a top three finish.

They are four points ahead of Curzon Ashton, who could still have five points deducted for disciplinary reasons pending an appeal, and six ahead of fifth-placed Skelmersdale from the same number of games.  The top five are now six points clear of sixth-placed Leigh Genesis and 10 clear of seventh-placed Prescot.

The Bay got off a flying start at Warrington with the only goal of the game coming inside the first three minutes.  A long throw by Dave Challinor was only half cleared and Challinor sent a deep cross to the far post for Grannon to head his first goal for the club.

Grannon, however, had to be substituted with concussion 10 minutes later after sustaining a head injury as he went in for a tackle, with Fraser Ablett coming on for his league debut as replacement.

Despite that, the Bay were in control for much of the first half with James Olsen and Jimmy Kelly dominating midfield and Tim Brandreth and Dave Challinor looking solid at the back, with Chris Sanna hardly troubled.

At the other end Richard Mottram denied the Bay a second goal with a good save from Eddie Jebb.

Warrington stepped up their game in the second half, but The Bay defended well with Tim Brandreth having a particularly good game alongside the solid Dave Challinor in the centre of defence, while Ablett also did well.

Warrington had a goal disallowed for offside and Chris Sanna made a tremendous save late on from substitute Richard Chetcuti to ensure the Seagulls held out for three very precious points.

Alex Titchiner came on for the last 10 minutes for Neil Black and managed to get the ball in the net - only to be ruled offside.

Seagulls boss Neil Young was delighted with the win, despite injuries to Grannon, Luke Denson (thigh) and Black (cramp), who all had to substituted. "The pitch was very bobbly, but we had the better of the first half and should have been more than one up at half-time," said the manager.  "The second half they have come at us and we have had to dig in, but we defended well with Chris Sanna making two great saves, and to keep a clean sheet was a real bonus because we haven't been doing that too often."

Report courtesy of Tim Channon

Pictures courtesy of Martin Lyons Photography