FC St. Helens bowed out of a League Cup campaign at the semi final stage for the second time in three years after a spirited performance which in many ways told the story of the season - so close to the top teams yet the marginal extra needed continues to elude them.

They travelled to Warrington Town Reserves on Saturday, unbeaten since the same fixture in the league over 4 months previous, to take on the league leaders in a tie which had the potential to be a great cup encounter.

In a game where the Reds were content to play on the break the hosts had the greater share of possession and fashioned a few half chances early on.

However it was FC who took the lead when Paul Sweeney was brought down in the box by the Warrington goalkeeper, and Lee Deakin calmly dispatched the resulting penalty.

Warrington however made a spell of pressure pay before the half and drew level via a calm finish into the bottom corner, which left Bowyer with little chance of saving.

The second half continued in much the same vein with the hosts applying pressure yet clear chances didn't present themselves often due to solid defensive work from the Reds.

However this was to be undone around the hour mark when a cross wasn't dealt with by the solid FC backline and Town capitalised to take the lead.

Personnel and tactical changes ensued from FC however the opportunity just wouldn't present itself to take the game beyond 90 minutes, despite a fantastic effort from the players.