THERE are fine margins between success and failure and the competitive nature of the Hallmark Securities NW Counties First Division Championship this season was never more obvious than was the case for St. Helens Town last week when, within less than 48 hours, five league points were lost in two very tight games under very different circumstances.

The home game against AFC Blackpool on Thursday evening was utterly bizarre, as Town fought back from losing two players to highly contentious red cards early in the second half, to snatch a point with two goals in injury time in remarkable fashion at the end of the game to draw 2-2 after all hope had seemingly disappeared.

Then on Saturday, away to promotion-chasing Sandbach United, Town turned in a solid first-half performance and took an early lead and were a shade unlucky not to double their advantage before the home side fought back to level the scores on the half-hour and take the lead on the hour, before Town shot themselves in the foot with a self-inflicted red card for retaliation following a foul on a St Helens player, leaving the team a mountain to climb, yet going down only 2-1 against one of the Division’s best footballing sides.

The upshot was a drop from 10th to 13th place in the table and a near-impossible task to haul themselves into contention for a play-off spot and a place in next season’s FA Cup qualifying rounds.

Thursday’s re-arranged game at home to AFC Blackpool was a slow-burner, with Town appearing content to allow their lowly visitors to make the early running and lively centre-forward Jack Williams soon began to run the show, although it took until the 38th minute for him to combine with Ricky Tomlinson to score the opening goal.

Town struggled for a while to find a way into the game but eventually, Andy Gillespie and Luke Edwards set up attacks down the right and Ste Rigby, playing in a more forward role, enjoyed more freedom to break down the left side, with Dom Whelan and Andy Presho forming a good partnership at full-back.

A goal down at half-time, the second-half began disastrously for Town, with two red cards in as many minutes, firstly for Eddie Pegler, who was apparently dismissed for a second yellow for a foul just inside the Blackpool half.

As if that was not bad enough, the second was totally baffling for all the spectators and players alike.

Andy Gillespie was through on goal and, on drawing keeper Callum Kirkland, was apparently adjudged offside, but he continued and put the ball into the net. Referee Martin claimed Gillespie had stamped on Kirkland and raised the red card – the first of the Town captain’s long career – and St Helens were reduced to 9 men, with nearly 40 minutes left to play.

Just approaching the hour mark, Blackpool midfielder Robert Hanslip hit a tremendous goal from 25 yards and Town were suddenly two goals and two men down, with no apparent way back.

However, as time wore on, the Seasiders were perhaps guilty of coasting and with only minutes remaining, manager Alan Gillespie made two substitutions.

The first, Alex Gillespie (Andy’s brother) was initially blocked by the referee, whose initial thought that the Town manager was trying to pull a fast one by sending captain Andy back on, despite his earlier dismissal!

Once order was restored, the second substitute, George Ukaegbu, a new signing from Welsh side Buckley Town, came on. Within moments, the referee adjudged (to everyone’s surprise) that Ukaegbu had been pulled back in the penalty area and he awarded a spot kick, which Rigby gratefully dispatched; then with only seconds remaining, Rigby returned the favour, dashed to the goal-line and sent over an inch-perfect cross for Ukaegbu to nod home past Kirkland for an incredible equaliser.

Ukaegbu was unavailable for the game at Sandbach on Saturday, as were Andy Webster and Ant Whelan, both injured in Thursday’s game.

Town began strongly and took control in the early stages, Rigby again enjoying a more forward role and going close with a couple of good chances.

Alex Gillespie cleared a shot from Josh Lane off his own line, Sandbach’s only chance in the opening 30 minutes, but Town stepped up their pressure and following another good shot from Rigby, Luke Edwards sent over a well-placed corner for Liam Dodd to head in at the far post to put St. Helens 1-0 ahead after 18 minutes.

The home side fought back and full-back Matt Pearson’s shot brought out an excellent save from Adam Fairchild at full stretch.

At the other end, a rasping shot from Edwards demanded an equally good save from Ryan Moss to keep United within touch, but Sandbach eventually levelled the scores in the 31st minute from a well-worked corner routine, stretching the Town defence, before Pearson netted and the teams went in 1-1 at the interval.

The second-half was a fairly even contest up to the hour point, but a quick cross saw Lane burst through on goal and he met the ball at pace on the near post and guided it past Fairchild to put Sandbach 2-1 ahead.

The turning point appeared to come a few minutes later when Dale Korie-Butler, attempting to turn a defender, was taken out.

The two players went head to head, as so often happens and, unfortunately, Korie-Butler reacted first and saw red in both senses of the expression, leaving his teammates a man short.

The home side stiffened up their defence, especially through Kris Stockton and captain Tom Watkin and there were very little chances for Town after that, apart from one possible penalty shout which the referee waved away. After the penalty award on Thursday night, perhaps that was too much to ask.

Twelve games now remain to the end of the season, eight at home and four away. Even twelve wins will not guarantee anything in this Division this season, but Town will be giving all the matches their best shot and looking towards next season at Ruskin Drive and, hopefully, get off to a good start.

This Saturday sees Town at home to bottom club Ashton Town at Prescot Cables.

Prior to last Saturday, Ashton had only won one League game all season, but after Town snatched a 2-2 draw at home to AFC Blackpool on Thursday night, Ashton travelled to face the same opposition at the Mechanics’ Ground and came away with a 5-0 win.

So, Town will not be able to take three points for granted, especially as when they played at Edge Green Street in December, they had to battle all the way for a 2-0 win.

St Helens are on the lookout for old programmes and memorabilia to sell in order to raise club funds.

Fans can donate items by bringing them along to Saturday’s game at Volair Park (Hope Street) where a great number of items will be available for purchase and persusal. Alternatively, a call can be made to Glyn Jones on 07504 231296 to arrange for collection.