Rochdale Town 3 St Helens Town 1.

St Helens Town 2 Cheadle Town 2.

If St Helens Town thought life in the First Division would be easier than that which they had been used to in the Premier Division, their early season optimism has all-but disappeared.

Three wins in the opening fixtures seemed straightforward enough but, five games on, it seems they can’t buy a win.

Two points from 15 tells its own story and, as the poor run continued last week, they slipped to a second defeat by Rochdale Town, albeit in controversial circumstances, then struggled to take a point from the home fixture with Cheadle Town on Saturday.

Tuesday’s defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.

As in the home game last month, St Helens took an early lead through captain Andy Gillespie, but then lost their way, as winger Jonny Thompson fired home three times from the corner of the penalty area in identical fashion.

However, at 2-1 down and with 20 minutes to go, Town launched wave after wave of attacks and, with only moments to go, with the keeper beaten, Gillespie’s thunderbolt was blocked on the home line by a substitute who was not even named on the official teamsheet, before Thompson broke and netted the decisive third goal just before the final whistle.

Saturday’s game produced another lacklustre performance and Town fell behind to a screamer of a free kick from over 30 yards out, expertly placed by Chris Sherrington, just out of home keeper Tom Bradley’s reach.

St Helens woke from their slumbers and Johan du Toit launched a tremendous drive which Steve Piggott did well to save.

Soon afterwards, Town equalised through Dale Sealey’s header from a corner in the 17th minute, but then surrendered their lead almost immediately when a poor clearance by Bradley was returned by Luke Hincks, again from long distance, right over the hapless goalie’s head and into the empty net.

The second half was another story and, once again, the injection of speedy substitutes Marcus Perry, Charlie Duke and Jack Golding, made all the difference.

Sealey cut through the visitors’ defence but, just as it seemed he might fire home, the ball bobbled under his feet and the danger passed.

Golding then went on a similar run in the 68th minute and he linked with Gillespie and the captain finished well for his 9th goal of the season.

As the game drew to its close, Gillespie turned provider for Perry, whose shot spun across the face of the goal and was very nearly turned in at the far post by a Cheadle defender.

Play then switched to the other end of the field and Bradley pulled off a double save to deny the visitors a winner and the final whistle sounded with 2-2 a fair result.

Town currently sit in mid-table, with three wins, two draws and three defeats, but with a game or two in hand over many of the teams above them.

However, they will need to rediscover the winning habit before long if they are to launch an assault on the play-off places.

They are not due to return to league action for two more weeks as next Saturday sees Town visit Hanley Town in the Men United Challenge Cup, with the FA Vase game at Rochdale Town to follow on October 3.