ST HELENS Town threw away a 4-1 interval lead as they bowed out of the Men Utd Cup against Widnes at the Select Security Stadium.

It had to be seen to be believed.

Town looked home and dry through goals from Chad Whyte (one a penalty), Kris Bell and Jamil Saleh, but they fell apart in the second half and conceded the leveller in the final minute.

Extra time failed to produce a goal and the game went to a penalty shoot-out to decide which team progressed to the last 16.

Gaz Grant, Saleh and Whyte all converted and the tie was level at 3-3 when Lewis Coyle - back at the club after spells with Prescot Cables and Droylsden - had his spot kick saved by Widnes keeper Nevitt.

The home team went ahead through substitute James Ludgate before Karl Bergqvist could only hit the underside of the bar, sending Widnes through 4-3 to face Glossop in the third round.

It was Town’s second slip in five days were left kicking themselves after they failed to take advantage of the strong wind in the first half of a North West Counties League encounter at Blackpool.

The performance was an improvement, scoring for the first time in eight league matches when they took the lead through Coyle but then lost the game 2-1.

Town had been so far on top that it was difficult to see how the home side could get back into the game, but from a break a minute before half-time Mitch Newsham headed past Rory Crowther for a surprise equaliser and this turned the game on its head.

Eight minutes into the second half, Town fell behind to a goal from the enterprising Matt Muscroft, who, seeing Crowther off his line, launched a huge up-and-under from over 40 yards out.

Assisted by the gale at his back, the ball bounced over the stranded keeper into the net.

Town manager Ian Price will be anxious to ensure that his charges learn from these experiences and close out the game should they take the lead in the FA Vase tie at home to Yorkshire Amateur on Saturday.

The Leeds side are one division lower than their previous victims Nostell Miners Welfare, but that will count for nothing if Town allow complacency to creep in.

On the positive side, St Helens look to have found their scoring touch once again.

Barring a replay in the FA Vase, Town return to league action with a trip to Stockport Sports on Tuesday.