Nelson were edged out of the North West Counties League Cup by Warrington Town in the first round replay at Victoria Park last night.
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Warrington had made much the better start and almost took the lead when Steve Latham drove a 25 yard free-kick against the underside of the Nelson crossbar with nine minutes gone.
After 20 minutes the visitors took a deserved lead when Lee Webster headed home from Phil Mitchell's pinpoint cross.
Carrington made good saves to deny Paul Heavey and Graeme Mitchell, but Nelson slowly began to get on top towards half-time, with good efforts from Kevin Richardson and Andy Bennett only just off target.
However, on 42 minutes the Blues defence was caught out when a good build-up released Graeme Mitchell, and his low shot found the bottom corner to double Warrington's lead.
A double substitution at half-time gave Nelson fresh impetus, with Richard Bradley and Paul Fildes creating some good attacking moves. The visitors were reduced to trying long range shots as the Blues built up the pressure.
It was no surprise when Nelson pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining. When Bradley's shot was blocked in the visitors penalty area the rebound fell to Fildes, who hooked a shot into the top corner of the net to bring the Blues back into contention.
Fildes tormented the Warrington defence with a series of dazzling runs and almost snatched an equaliser on 85 minutes when he met a corner kick at the far post, but he blasted his shot over the bar.
As the pressure mounted in the closing stages, Danny Whittaker's cross to the far post resulted in a clash of heads involving Shaun Berry, who left the field needing stitches.
A breakway by Warrington saw Graeme Mitchell go close at the other end, but Carrington bravely flung himself at his feet to prevent a goal. The Blues keeper was laid out on the field for a good five minutes before the referee decided to blow the whistle and call a halt to proceedings with the game already well into injury time.
