ON a heavy pitch in the Knutsford countryside, the Reds came up against a side containing some quality recent additions that indicated the league table was not to be a safe judge of the outcome.

Egerton started positively but didn’t particular threaten well enough to take the lead, and having weathered the early storm FC took the lead via Paul Sweeney’s 8th of the campaign on the half hour.

FC then looked comfortable and in control leading up to the break, Mick Houghton once again excelling in the heart of defence and Liam Bowyer looking comfortable on his first team debut in goal.

Egerton again started the second half brightly and made it pay with a goal early in the half having broke from their own goal kick. Seemingly buoyed by this, they shortly after grabbed a second goal leaving the visitors firmly on the back foot for the remainder of the game.

Both sides were then reduced to ten men after the hour mark, with lack of firm and consistent officiating allowing tempers to boil over, to the cost of both sides.

With time running out FC kept the pressure up and it finally paid off after debutant Will Threlkeld struck the post and Liam Houghton fired home the rebound to make it 2-2 in the 90th minute.

FC St Helens are clearly establishing themselves as one of the toughest teams to beat in the Cheshire League, with only three defeats in all competitions this season - however after an 8th draw away here at Egerton, surely some of these must start to be converted into wins in order to challenge at the top of the table.