St Helens Town 3, Fleetwood Freeport 2

TOWN extended their fine home record with another three points on Saturday.

But they had to work hard against set-piece specialists Fleetwood, whose throw-ins were as good as free-kicks as Butler and Archbold speared them in from all angles.

So the Town defence had to be on their toes and although they did concede two goals, they did well against the constant aerial battery.

But the Hoghton Roaders also found their shooting boots to convert chances at vital times in contrast to the previous Tuesday night when "scattergun" finishing let Cheadle off the hook in a disappointing draw.

Once they had settled on Saturday, Town looked sharp and on five minutes they broke to take the lead as Steve O'Neill linked with Laird to hit a low curler past 'keeper Barton into the Moss End net.

Soon after Town's Phoenix was first villain then hero as his reckless pass let in Archbold with Adamson producing a fine save for a corner which Mason appeared to divert in until Phoenix' diving header somehow got it clear.

On 22 minutes it was Phoenix again in the picture, when his 20-yard free-kick just curled over the bar.

But Town had an escape seconds later when Archbold miscued a volley from only six yards. This was developing into a gripping contest and on 28 minutes own went two up when O'Neill's close skills in the area resulted in a shot cannoning back off the 'keeper's legs, but Gary Laird followed it up to sweep the ball home.

Town won an early second-half corner kick with Hill's powerful delivery almost poleaxing Fleetwood's Murphy as he headed clear at the near post.

Back came the Shrimpers and 'keeper Adamson made a superb reflex save in a scramble, with Walsh finally volleying over.

Next, Town's Hill powered up the right and saw his chip pass across the face of goal. But on 62 minutes it was Fleetwood's turn to score as a long throw on the right was flicked on by Riches, enabling Stuart Diggle to convert with ease at the far post.

Town didn't allow themselves to be flustered by this reverse and stormed forward again and only the post prevented Laird's 64th minute lob registering.

Barton then made a fine save from O'Neill following a lovely reverse pass by Hill and by now Town were enjoying themselves as more flowing play led to Hill firing over.

Town made it safe in the 79th minute when Williams did well to win a corner and Hill's flag kick slipped through the 'keeper's fingers for Gary Laird to chest home, virtually on the line.

But there was consolation for the visitors when John Riches swept home Johnstone's cut-back with the game's last kick.

This Saturday Town are at home to Clitheroe (3pm).

Numbers drawn in the club's lottery were 2, 4, 8, 12, 13 and 15.

There were no winners and this week's prize stands at £750.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.