AT the weekend Town made history with a first ever Saturday night fixture as part of the annual groundhopper tour of the Mersey region. Alas, another result went against the home side as wastefulness and over elaboration let the visitors off the hook when Town enjoyed length spells of domination.

Garstang, on the other hand, were ruthless in their finishing as illustrated in the 12th minute when they took the lead as Coar turned in Birch's corner from the right. Town's Greene then saw his shot cleared off the line before Diggle was denied the equalizer by a marginal offside decision. Visiting keeper KItchen then tipped over another Diggle effort as half time approached with Garstang showing flashes of what they were capable of. HT 0-1.

After the interval Town piled on the pressure and Kitchen held a point-blank drive from Diggle before Moffitt's glancing header went wide. Nonetheless, Town were asking all the right questions with Weaver prominent, and on 52 minutes they equalised when Greene's corner kick was bundled in by a combination of Whelan and Diggle but the latter squandered a great chance three minutes later when he headed wide when unmarked from four yards.

At this point Garstang made changes and they were transformed with powerful surges up the flanks and on 63 minutes a superb solo run and finish by Sailor restored the visitors' lead.

Town visibly wilted from this point and needed keeper Williams at his best on a couple of occasions but he was beaten again on 77 minutes when Hothersall converted a spot-kick after being tripped from behind. FT 1-3.

Town have a tough test this coming Saturday when champions-elect Longridge are the visitors to Ruskin, kick off is at 3pm.