ST Helens Town were knocked out of the FA Cup once again at the first hurdle on Saturday, after they lost 2-1 to Maine Road of the NW Counties Premier Division, but for long periods of the game, they outplayed their hosts.

Bridging the gap between Step 5 and Step 6 was always going to be difficult but, despite falling behind to an early in-swinging corner kick, they soon levelled and were well on top for virtually all the first half.

Maine Road took the lead in the fourth minute when Connor Hughes delivered a perfect corner kick which went on off the far post, taking the covering defenders by surprise, but Town soon regained their composure and Andy Gillespie hit a wonderful drive from the edge of the penalty area which deflected off a Maine Road defender, sending keeper Ryan Livesey, who was impressive throughout, the wrong way eight minutes later.

St Helens very nearly took the lead shortly afterwards in spectacular fashion when Gillespie’s overhead kick found the athletic Jordan Lorde, who finished in similar style, only for Livesey to tip the ball against his bar and out of danger.

Jack Marshall, playing at left back, terrorised Maine Road down that flank and, linking with Lorde and Gillespie, it seemed only a matter of time before Town went in front.

On the half hour, Gillespie took a free kick from 30 yards out wide on the left and hit the bar with some force and only solid defending from the home side kept Town at bay for the rest of the half.

Lorde was replaced by Marcus Perry soon after half-time and Maine Road reinforced the left side of midfield to restrict Town’s play down that wing.

Dom Whelan and Alex Nwachukwu were introduced shortly afterwards following a couple of injuries and the home side took advantage before Town could adjust and, before long, Maine Road regained the lead when Nick Osborne finished clinically on 70 minutes as St. Helens were caught napping.

Town tried to force the equaliser but were denied a penalty when Johan du Toit was scythed down in the box after the ball had gone. Dale Sealey was narrowly wide with a strong header from Gillespie’s corner and, in the closing minutes, Perry had a similar chance to that which produced a goal against Atherton LR on Tuesday but could only shin the ball into the grateful hands of Livesey. With that, St Helens’ chances of a replay evaporated and Town duly extended their losing run in the FA Cup to five years, having failed to win any FA Cup game since leaving Knowsley Road in 2010.

Despite being otherwise engaged St Helens Town were still in pole position in the First Division table on Saturday night, but their next three scheduled league fixtures are against teams also on 6 points. They made it two wins from as many games as they pulled off a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Atherton LR on Tuesday evening, Gillespie netting twice, Lorde and Perry scoring the others.

Irlam, who lost their unbeaten record at Barnton at the weekend, are the visitors on Saturday to Brocstedes Park, kick-off at 3pm.