INJURIES to Cole Ashton, Karl Bergqvist, Gaz Grant and Jack McKay left St Helens Town without an entire first-choice midfield for Saturday’s game against high-flying Colne at Brocstedes Park, yet they battled well throughout, despite going down to a 5-2 defeat.

However, more importantly, they won 2-0 at Lambeth Grove on Tuesday against a struggling Stockport Sports side who have yet to win at home this season.

The victory was their fifth from seven outings against the five sides below Town in the Premier Division table and they will be looking to secure another win over Bacup in a re-arranged home game on 29 November, leaving them with trips to Abbey Hey and Barnoldswick later in the season, key fixtures in the long-term struggle to avoid relegation.

Town soon seized the initiative against a sluggish Stockport side and on 25 minutes Andy Gillespie cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Daniel Bell.

The second half was virtually one-way traffic as Town tightened their grip on the game and, following a break by Whyte on 55 minutes, the centre-forward’s shot deflected off the keeper and Perry hit home the loose ball.

Saturday’s game was always going to be an uphill battle, but Town matched Colne for most of the first half, then on 24 minutes Spencer Jordan netted and three minutes later Andrew Tinker smashed home from the edge of the box.

St Helens roared back, when a high foot from a defender made contact with Whyte’s head and Whyte himself dispatched the spot kick to bring his side back with a chance at 1-2.

As the first half drew to a close, Whyte and Bell were narrowly wide with good chances.

Colne took control in the second half, with two more goals from Jordan and one from Boyle.

Bell scored a consolation goal for Town at the end.

Town then travel to table-topping Runcorn Linnets (3pm) on Saturday, then travel to Marine’s ground College Road, Crosby on Wednesday to take on AFC Liverpool (7.45pm).