NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH REPORT: BUXTON HEAD INTO PLAYOFFS WITH A WIN AGAINST WARRINGTON TOWN

Buxton secured playoffs with a 2-0 win over Warrington Town after results elsewhere went their way.

The visitors had the first chance of the game, with the ball falling to Bohan Dixon on the edge of the box, but his shot went just wide.

Buxton, however, went up the other end as Johnny Johnston dribbled past a couple of Warrington defenders before hitting an effort over the bar.

Both sides then struck the woodwork in a lively spell. Aaron James, from the right, delivered a cross onto the head of Josh Aims, whose header clipped the bar. Seven minutes later, Oliver Ewing drove forward and hammered a shot against the crossbar at the other end.

In an end-to-end start to the game, Cian Coleman found the feet of Johnston, but at close range, he couldn’t direct his shot on target.

After 33 minutes, Warrington were reduced to ten men following an off the ball brawl. A late challenge from Jay Harris led to the defender getting booked, with Bobby Faulkner also receiving a yellow card for his involvement, while Murphy Bennett was sent off.

The Bucks had two late opportunities in the half to take advantage and gain the lead. First, Dermi Lusala’s shot was deflected over the bar by Peter Clarke, and then Connor Kirby fired a shot that forced Dan Atherton into a diving save.

Against ten men, Buxton came out flying, with Ewing and Elliott both having shots blocked behind for corners.

Kieran Burton gave the Bucks the lead in the 61st minute, with his header from a Brennan cross hitting the underside of the crossbar before being adjudged to have crossed the line for 1-0.

Captain Kirby had two free-kick efforts that forced Atherton into diving saves as the home side continued to push for a second goal.

And they kept pressing, with Coleman the next to try his luck, firing just over from the edge of the box.

With all the pressure building, Buxton eventually doubled their lead in the 86th minute after Johnston, at the second time of asking, slotted the ball past the keeper for 2-0.

Buxton will now travel to Chester away on Wednesday in the playoffs.