ST HELENS Town’s bid to climb off the bottom of the table took another set-back on Saturday as they slipped to a 5-2 defeat at home to Ilkley Town.

Expectations weren’t high as St Helens Town went in to the game without their two top scorers who both picked up injuries in last week’s match.

Town got off to a slow start and a well organised Ilkley team took the lead in the 8th minute.

A defensive mix up gifted a second to the visitors before the half hour mark, and it looked like it was game over when Ilkley got their third just before half time.

Town were still pushing forward however, and the Ilkley defence completely switched off to leave left-back and captain Jesse Robinson through on goal to tap in a finish and give his team a much needed lifeline before the break.

Town have been the masters of coming from behind recently, and came out fighting in the second half. Neil Weaver tapped in at the far post after a dangerous run into the box from Lewis Hassan.

The team seemed to lack the belief this time, and the naivety that has been the side’s undoing so often, reared its head again and Ilkley were allowed too much space to counter attack, leaving them eventual 5-2 winners.

Next up it’s a long trip to Holker Old Boys of Cumbria on Saturday, with every game being a must-win from here on in.