BILLINGE had to come from behind to beat FC St Helens 3-1 in their final Cheshire League derby of the season on Saturday.

The Storks found themselves a goal behind after just three minutes.

From Kieran Curtis’s free-kick Billinge’s keeper Tom Darbyshire pulled off a fingertip save to direct the ball onto the bar.

FC St Helens full-back Stephen Ashton was the first to react to stab the ball home.

With two debutants - in James Duke and Ben Lightfoot - in Billinge’s back three it can probably be put down to an early misunderstanding because after this the defence didn’t make a single error.

Billinge responded when leading scorer Phil Dearden joyously fired home to bring it level.

Duke headed against the bar and then Dearden had ‘a goal’ disallowed for a push.

Dean Curtis brilliantly fired home from 25 yards in the 68th minute.

Rhyce Merrifield headed a free-kick powerfully against the bar.

Merrifield sealed the points when he to forced the ball home for his first senior goal for the club.

Billinge will have to wait until Saturday 20 April for their return to action but their reserve team - who drew 3-3 away at Moore United Reserves on Saturday - are at home on Saturday when they entertain Greenalls Reserves in a 3pm kick-off.