TOWN suffered another heavy loss as they went down at high flying Barnoldswick Town and in doing so suffered a tenth defeat in their last 12 league outings. The home side held a narrow advantage at half time courtesy of a Lewis Jordan strike after good work from Fildes.

In reality the score line flattered Jimmy McBride’s men who had to be thankful for a combination of poor finishing by the home side and some excellent saves by the returning 'keeper Dale Newbrook.

For all the home side’s dominance Town should have been level within a minute of the second half restart when following an Ian Frazer free kick Danny Clarke narrowly headed wide when it seemed easier to score.

Town suffered the consequences of the miss as Barnoldswick immediately went up field and Spencer Jordan doubled the home side advantage.

Town had their best spell of the game with Addison and Clarke having chances well held by the home stopper Carrington but at the other end Newbrook tipped Smith’s free kick onto the crossbar. Town pressure should have been rewarded with a penalty kick as a handball was missed before Addison fired narrowly over.

Two goals in as many minutes by the home side put the result beyond doubt.

Garbutt volleyed past Newbrook after some sloppy defensive play while Fildes was rewarded for his hard work. Further embarrassment was avoided late in the game when Town’s man of the match Newbrook was on hand to block Spencer Jordan’s effort as he was left exposed in another 1-on-1 situation. To add to the travelling fans’ frustration St Helens were denied the opportunity of a late consolation when again the referee denied the visitors another clear cut penalty when Dyson was brought down by ‘keeper Carrington.

Town host AFC Blackpool at Edge Green Street on Saturday 22 October, kick off 3.00pm.