St. Helens Town played out their first draw of the season on Saturday, to earn a valuable point against a spirited and well-organised Squires Gate outfit at Brocstedes Park. The scoreless result was their first since the final game of the 2012/13 season (at Bacup) and their first goalless game at Brocstedes Park.

The game was even throughout, yet Town had the best chances to score, Karl Bergqvist having back to back opportunities within minutes of each other just before the half-hour mark in the first half. In the first, he took on and beat two defenders but, just as the ball ran clear of the last outfield player, it spun under the striker’s foot, causing him to stumble. Soon afterwards, he burst clear of the defence again and hit a goalbound drive, only for keeper Ben Fletcher to pull off a wonderful point-blank save to turn the ball around his right-hand post.

Five minutes after the interval, midfielder Cole Ashton surged through a gap, but was hauled down by defenders either side of him at the edge of the home box. Andy Gillespie took the free-kick and hit a great, dipping shot, which only just cleared the bar.

Squires Gate sparked into life in the closing ten minutes and Jack Sowerby carved out a great chance, but shot a few inches wide of Rory Crowther’s left post.

However, this was one of only a few opportunities for the visitors, so well had Aaron Morris, Hamish Falconer and Nathan Ogden defended throughout.

With only three minutes left, Morris shot down the wing and turned two opponents inside out and found himself bearing down on goal, but just as the opportunity arose for a shot on goal, he turned the ball unselfishly across the box and the last chance to win the game was lost.

This was a much-improved, all round performance from St. Helens, who face trips to Congleton Town on Saturday (3pm kick-off) and bottom side AFC Blackpool on Tuesday, with a 7.45pm start.