ALTHOUGH St Helens are struggling at the bottom of the NWCL First Division, this was a completely new team under Mark Cox that took Bacup to the cleaners in the first 45 minutes.

The rampant Merseysiders took six minutes to break the deadlock when Borough's defence was caught pushing out, the ball was knocked over the top and Felgate was left helpless as the Saints' lively striker ran in and finished with precision.

At half-time manager Brent Peters changed the team around and introduced Scott Gilchrist for Stuart Telfer. Bacup's second half performance saw a big improvement that should have given them at least one point.

Rhodri Giggs brought a good save following a free kick, Karl Stanley blasted a shot over following good work from Taylor, then on 68 minutes Bacup were denied a penalty when Giggs was brought down in the box.

But two minutes later Bacup did get a penalty when Lee Anderson was upended and captain Steve Stott to converted.

But with Bacup going all-out for the win, it came back to haunt them when Giggs lost the ball and St Helens counter-attacked to score the winner.

ST HELENS TOWN...2

BACUP BOROUGH...1