Ebbsfleet were dumped out of the FA Trophy at Warrington after a tepid display allowed their Northern Premier League hosts safe passage to round three.

Tony Gray and Jamie McDonald were the Town heroes with two goals in 16 second-half minutes of Tuesday’s replay, halting United’s progress in the competition at the same stage as last season.

“Warrington deserved their victory. We never got going and the best team won,” said Fleet manager Daryl McMahon.

“We wish them luck for the next round. We have to dust ourselves down and go back to concentrating on the league.”

Fleet never got into their stride on a cold, wet and windy night by the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, and eventually their hosts took full advantage.

However, for the first 45 minutes the contest was even, and played mainly in the middle third of the field with Ebbsfleet using their physical superiority and Warrington offering plenty of pace.

Fleet’s Sean Shields was the first to test Ben Ashcroft in the home goal, quickly followed by Danny Kedwell.

Town responded through the dangerous Devarn Green as Warrington gained the upper hand towards the end of the half and it took five minutes after the restart for the deadlock to be broken.

Lawrie Wilson lost possession halfway, allowing Will Hayhurst free rein down the left flank. His cutback was helped on by McDonald for Gray, who curled a low effort past Nathan Ashmore from 20 yards.

The visitors’ response was immediate as Aaron McLean’s persistence forced Ashcroft into a fantastic save from his own defender, but then came the body blow.

Poor defending on halfway again allowed Gray to send Hayhurst clear and despite Ashmore’s acrobatics McDonald was quickest to the rebound, tapping home to double Warrington’s advantage with 24 minutes remaining.

And that was just about that, aside from a weak Kedwell header.

As the sleet came down, and lightning flashes lit up the sky, McLean’s airshot six yards out just about summed up Ebbsfleet’s night.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Wilson (Powell 73mins), Magri, Winfield, Connors (Bush 73mins), Shields, Drury, Paine, Weston (Coulson 57 mins), Kedwell, McLean. Subs not used: Rance, Jordan.

Attendance: 334.