ST HELENS Town’s trip to a windswept Blackpool saw them earn a valuable point against a Squires Gate outfit who have lost only one of their last 16 games.

It was clear the elements would play a major part as moments into the game a cross from Gate’s McKendrick caught on the wind, forced Town stopper Rory Crowther to tip the ball over his crossbar.

As Town struggled for a foothold in the game the home side struck the opening goal. Murphy found Crowther in fine form as his powerful drive from just inside the box was tipped wide for a corner.

The resultant cross from the right found a packed six-yard box and after a scramble the assistant flagged to indicate the ball had crossed the line with Mark Buchan credited with the final touch.

While the home side dominated first-half possession Town weren’t without chances and Cole Ashton and Marcus Perry combined well for the former to fire past the ‘keeper only for his goalbound shot to be blocked by a defender.

Jack McKay found himself with some space outside the Gate box but his effort sailed over the crossbar and it was Town who would have the final chance of the half when Fletcher in the home goal saved well from a James Rushton-Woods free kick.

The second period saw Town in the ascendency, dominating the early exchanges and the ever present Aaron Morris almost levelled the scores when his header was well-saved by Fletcher.

Town did eventually level matters midway through the half and it was a stunning effort from Rushton-Woods, who found the top right-hand corner of Fletcher’s goal from a free kick awarded 20 yards out.

If there was to be a winner Town looked the more likely as the game entered the latter stages and substitute Chad Whyte almost found the goal, when he turned inside the penalty box before being bundled over as he headed for goal but the referee waved play on.

Unfortunately for Town time ran out and a draw was probably a fair reflection on a game of two halves in, which both sides did well in difficult conditions.

St Helens Town are back in NWCFL action on Saturday when they travel to Alsager Town, kick off 3pm n Prescot Cables came from two goals behind to share the spoils against New Mills in a six-goal thriller at Hope Street, despite playing for most of the match with ten men.

After some scrappy opening exchanges, the game burst into life after two minutes when Cables ‘keeper Ciaran Gibson was sensationally sent off for deliberate handball outside the penalty area.

With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench to call upon, James Edgar took over the net minding.

A Jonah O’Reilly header and a Sam Corlett shot were saved by Mills ‘keeper Ashley before the visitors took the lead on 29 minutes.

Daniel Grimshaw’s dipping cross dropped nicely at the feet of Warren Gaskin, who prodded the ball home from close range.

Cables responded immediately.

After a Jack Phillips shot on the turn was saved, Jamie McCulloch got up well to meet Neil Prince’s free kick with a header that sailed past Ashley for 1-1 after 31 minutes.

New Mills got off to a flying start in the second half with two goals inside the first four minutes.

James Kirkby fired neatly into the far corner of the Town net and Douglas-Pringle latched on to a long ball over the Cables defence before unleashing a powerful shot, which went in off a post.

On 56 minutes, Prince worked his magic again from a free kick, aiming for the far post where Jonah O’Reilly headed back across goal for McCulloch to score from close range.

Edgar twice saved from Douglas-Pringle as play switched from end to end.

Cables’ determination paid off in the 83rd minute.

After Corlett’s corner had been cleared, McCulloch fired a powerful shot from 25 yards, which rebounded off the goal post into the path of Phillips, who gleefully slotted home the equaliser.

The game was not over though as both sides threw caution to the wind in search of the winner.

Grimshaw struck the Cables crossbar with a blistering shot from 25 yards. Cables saw out the closing minutes to earn a deserved point.