BACUP Borough took their unbeaten run to four games and four clean sheets, taking six points out of six in their last two home games.

As early as the sixth minute Bacup had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Jason Anthony was brought down in the area.

David Gray then had two good chances, the first after Nicky Taylor and Steve Stott exchanged passes, but his shot was smothered by the St Helens keeper, then Karl Stanley found Gray but his shot was tipped over the bar.

Bacup took the lead two minutes before the break when the ball was lofted over from a corner, Ian McLellan headed across the goal and Anthony headed past the helpless keeper.

Bacup goalkeeper Tommy Allen was brought into action after Sean Cryer conceded a free kick but he saved well from a free header.

Brent Peters' side increased their lead on 75 minutes when substitute Paul Thompson latched onto a loose ball. He sprinted over the halfway line before unselfishly laying the ball into the path of his co-striker Gray, who finished well.

The visitors then created an opening, Allen saved but spilled and the follow-up shot was inches wide of the post.

Allen had to produce a top drawer save in the dying minutes, but this time from his own player. Lee Kershaw's header was goal-bound until Allen flung himself across goal to keep Bacup's clean sheet in tact.

Manager Peters said: "Following our previous results, I kept faith with the team and it paid dividends.

"I thought we played some excellent football in the first half and all the lads were working hard for each other.

"We weren't as fluent in the second half but you have to give St Helens some credit for that."

But there was disappointment for the West View chief.

"I am far from happy with some of the comments made when defender Ian McLellan was taken off," he said.

"He was playing with a groin strain. Supporters should support, if they want to be managers then they should get a manager's job, otherwise they should keep their negative comments to themselves."

BACUP BOROUGH ...2 ST HELENS 0