NELSON'S trip to Warrington got off to the worst possible start and things quickly went from bad to worse as striker Neil Holden buried the Blues with a smartly taken brace.

John Bailey's men were late arriving at Cantilever Park due to traffic congestion on the M6.

Then, just nine seconds into this NWTL Division Two Trophy semi-final first leg, keeper James Davies got crocked in a challenge with Town's Gavin McDonald and had to be stretchered off. Striker Nigel Coates came off the substitute's bench to take his place in goal. But he was left cruelly exposed as Holden capitalised twice, despite the fact Town only mustered three shots on target in the whole game.

The first came on 22 minutes when Holden's electric pace made him first to a long ball and he picked his spot to the left of the disorientated Coates.

Town secured a vital second goal, Holden tapping home Mike Tandy's header following a Neil Morgan corner.

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