Without a game for three weeks, missing several regulars and fielding two debutants in Connor Murphy and George Lomax, St Helens Town were hoping to complete a league double over Daisy Hill on Saturday, but they turned in a rusty, disjointed performance against a side who were still smarting from handing Town a lucky 2-1 win at the end of October.

The Westhoughton club arrived seeking revenge for their home defeat and ran out comfortable winners on their first visit to St Helens’ home.

The first chance of the match fell to Town when Andy Gillespie broke down the left and set up Aaron Morris, returning to the club after a stint with Ashton Athletic, but Morris’ goal-bound shot was saved by Chris Taylor.

Soon afterwards, the visitors took the lead, a 25-yard shot from Matthew Knowles deflecting past Matthew Hodge, giving the Town keeper no chance after 27 minutes.

Craig Naylor placed an effort just over the bar soon afterwards but Daniel Gregory scored a second on the half-hour, his long shot deflected off two defenders leaving Hodge stranded.

Town had a chance to pull a goal back at that stage, but Ed Pegler nodded his free header wide of the back post from a corner kick when it looked easier to score than to miss.

Hodge, who had been presented with the NW Counties’ First Division Goalkeeper of the Month award prior to the game, pulled off a fine save from Alex McPolin shortly afterwards, but he had no chance with the third goal on 42 minutes when Gregory netted on the re-bound after his first effort had been well blocked.

The visitors went in three goals to the good at the break, all of them with more than a hint of fortune.

St Helens made more of a fight of it in the second-half and they again had chances to get back into the game before Daisy Hill scored their fourth goal, on the break, Naylor netting after 72 minutes.

McPolin hit a fifth on 80 minutes before Town scored a brace of late consolation goals through Lomax (86) and Andy Gillespie (87), his 15th of the season, but Daisy Hill rounded off the scoring through Daniel Halloran a minute from the end.

Town will be hoping for a change in fortune on Saturday, when they travel to the Manchester Regional Arena, M11 3FF, to take on Northwich Manchester Villa in a First Division encounter, kick-off at 3pm.

Villa are in eleventh place in the table, one below Town and the game, which takes place adjacent to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, will be the first between the clubs. Despite their inconsistent form, Town are only nine points behind leaders Barnton and 5 points off the play-off places, so there is still plenty to play for.

On Tuesday Town’s delayed Second Round tie against Chadderton in the Reusch First Division Trophy takes place at Brocstedes Park, kick-off at 7.45pm, ahead of a home league game against Hanley Town on Saturday week.