St Helens Town 3 Sheffield 1 (FA Cup Prelim) IT was a case of 'heads you win' at sun-drenched Hoghton Road on Saturday when Town progressed in the FA Cup and now face a trip to Great Harwood of the Unibond league in the next round.

Three headers, two from Steve Pennington and one from Chris Walmesley, accounted for Sheffield. St Helens had to settle for a single goal advantage at the break when Pennington's reflex header diverted Reillys effort into the net following a corner. Apart from a header from Lewin which went wide, Sheffield had posed little threat but a half time team talk by ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United man John Pearson, the Don Valley side made more of a fight of it after the break.

Within a minute of the restart a long clearance by keeper O'Leary carried over the Town back line for Pass to go clear on goal but Allison's partial block gave Reilly time to get back and clear off the line. Allison was again involved with a fine save at Pass's feet in the 53rd minute before Town pressed the accelerator again with Sheffield keeper O'Leary making a superb tip over from Kirwan's header.

On 59 minutes Town increased their lead when Walmesley rose to power a downward header from Hills corner kick and although Stevens hooked the ball out, the referee was perfectly placed to adjudge that it had crossed the line.

The 62nd minute saw Sheffield grab a lifeline when Towns Kirwan initially trod on the ball when in space and when Clayton whipped the ball over from the skirmish, Marc Dunks applied a neat finish into the bottom corner. But the locals were soon to restore their two goal advantage when Walmesley's quick free-kick sent Hill racing down the left and a perfect chipped cross provided Pennington with a simple header at the far post. Town are again on the Wembley trailon Wednesday, September 10 (7.30) when they meet Ossett Town who come to Hoghton Road for an FA Vase tie. Admission £3 and £1 concessions. There is no game on Saturday. Lottery Numbers 6,7,12,14,15,16. No winners. Next week's jackpot £895 on no's 1-15.

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