ST HELENS Town duly completed their expected win over basement club Bacup and Rossendale Borough on Saturday, thereby securing their first double of the season, with a solid 2-0 victory.

More importantly, this was their seventh win of the league season, six of which have come against the bottom five clubs in the table and with only two games remaining against that quintet, they put valuable clear water between themselves and the relegation-threatened teams.

With three teams set to lose their Premier League status at the end of the season, it was a must-win game and Town passed their test with flying colours, dominating throughout.

The architects of the success were the strike duo of Andy Gillespie and Kris Bell, who scored a goal apiece and were streets ahead of their East Lancashire opponents and the duo always looked likely to score in the first half.

The teams were evenly matched in the opening quarter, but Town stepped up their game as confidence grew.

Without Chad Whyte, Gillespie adopted a more central role and he is gaining fitness and pace game by game, following his return from horrific facial injuries suffered on Easter Monday and is now approaching his best form.

Bell, on the other hand, is a recent recruit from Warrington League side Rylands.

He surely has a big future in the game and Town will be looking to capitalise on his razor-sharp touches and eye for goal for as long as they can.

As it turned out, he left the field, presumably as a precautionary measure, five minutes into the second half, having all but secured the three points in a devastating 20-minute spell at the end of the opening period.

Gillespie scored the first goal on 27 minutes, poking past keeper Jakovlevs following a crisp pass along the byline by Bell and the game was put effectively beyond Bacup’s reach six minutes from the break, when Bell headed home an exquisite cross from full-back Jack Hont out on the touchline and the teams went in with Town two goals to the good.

Eight minutes after the resumption, Town were penalised following a defensive error, which resulted in keeper Rory Crowther bringing down Martin Ormesher, but the 17-year-old stopper guessed correctly and saved the Ormesher’s same player’s spot kick.

That was Bacup’s only real chance of the second half and, no doubt mindful of the big test ahead next Saturday, St Helens were content to tighten up in midfield and defence, cruising through the remainder of the game.

The previous Tuesday, Town went down 7-3 to AFC Liverpool at Marine FC, but were in with a good chance at only 2-1 down, but conceded a crucial goal right on half time.

Nevertheless, they got back to 3-2, both Town goals coming from Bell, before a series of defensive errors let in the home side for three goals in quick succession.