It followed the departure of star striker Damien Whitehead and creative midfielder Paul Berry into the Nationwide League during the summer, together with several players currently missing through injury or suspension. Town included six new signings.   Three of them, Mike Tandy, Mark Ashton and Chris Lee, have returned to Cantilever Park and the others were Robbie Preidt, Jed Bushell and Dave Pick, all making their debut.   Tandy wasted little time in making his mark in his third spell with the club, giving his side the lead in the third minute. He hammered the ball into the roof of the net after 'keeper Mark Canning had allowed a free kick by Gavin McDonald to slip from his grasp.  Apart from that effort, Canning was only once more put under any further pressure when defender Andy Tague saw a venomous drive superbly tipped over by the 'keeper during the second half.

A plus point for Warrington, amid a generally uninspired performance by the team, was the goalkeeping of Paul Knight. He was standing in for Alan Thompson, who is coaching in America, and produced three notable saves before the interval.  But he bore no blame for both of the visitors' goals. A brilliantly executed back heeled pass by Barry White set up an equaliser for Mark Holland after 70 minutes.

Colne, who lost twice to Warrigton in the league last season, won the points six minutes later when substitute Miie Warnor powered in a drive from 12 yards.