IT is not often St Helens Town suffer defeat on a new season’s opening day.

Indeed, a narrow reverse at North West Counties League newcomers Carlisle City at the weekend is a first on their campaign debut for five years.

After twice coming from behind to draw level in Cumbria, Mark Birch’s winner four minutes from time felt particularly painful.

Town trailed 2-0 inside nine minutes, conceding on both occasions from free kicks.

Jordan Atkinson put the home team ahead with a neat finish, after controlling the ball with his chest, from the first.

Mark Boyd then added to Carlisle’s lead shortly afterwards.

St Helens slowly recovered, halving their arrears on 28 minutes when Ed Pegler sent a spectacular volley into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

An equaliser soon followed, then Chris Lomax’s corner was met by brother George with a powerful header.

Town almost edged ahead before the interval too, but captain Andy Gillespie was denied by a fine save at full stretch from goalkeeper James Greenall who diverted his dipping attempt onto the crossbar.

Carlisle restored their advantage after an hour, this time when Mark Worrall applied a finishing touch from close range.

The City goalscorer then escaped with a yellow card from referee Peter Leonard after a tackle on Cole Ashton – recently recovered from serious injury – that Town felt ought to have led to his dismissal.

It sparked St Helens into life, and Chris Lomas was denied by a defender’s block on the line.

However the visitors did make it 3-3 with 20 minutes left when Gillespie’s drive squirmed through Greenall’s hands before trickling over the line.

Town’s skipper was denied a second time by the woodwork when he headed powerfully from close range.

They were denied a share of the spoils with time running out, Birch’s sweetly-struck strike from 25 yards leaving net-minder Lee Novak with no chance of stopping it.

St Helens return to action on Saturday when they visit Cheadle Town.

They then host another Division One newcomer, Sandbach United, at Prescot Cables next Tuesday, kick off 7.45pm.