St Helens Town 2 Maine Road 0 THOUGH not as spectacular as some of Town's recent outings this win was hugely significant as it took Jimmy McBride's men to the top of the NWCL.

With half a season still to go no-one in the St Helens camp is getting carried away as they bid for a place in the'Unibond League bit if the pace set in the opening five months can be sustained, there is every reason for optimism.

This was the reverse of the season's opening-day fixture and although brilliant sunshine was the common denominator for both games, temperatures on Saturday were considerably less than those at a sweltering Brantingham Road in mid August.

Town opened attacking the Dunriding Lane end and the pattern of frustration was set early on as the ball steadfastly refused to go in, in stark contrast to the 15 which they had bagged in their previous two Knowsley Road outings.

The catalogue began on 10 minutes when Maine Road keeper Merrick reacted late to turn Morgan's cross around the post and when Fearns scuffed a 17th-minute effort wide after the attendant Howe had slipped allowing time and space, the Mancunians survived again.

Cooper was then the beneficiary of two excellent 'assists' from Fearns but he couldn't quite stretch enough in the 18th minute, then five minutes later went around the keeper only to screw the ball into the side netting as the angle became tight.

On 27 minutes Town's Quirk shuddered the bar with a 20-yarder and on the half-hour a handling error by Merrick presented Cooper with a tight chance which he struck against the foot of the post.

Town playmaker Hennigan almost opened the door within seconds of the re-start but Merrick made a good point- blank save from Fearns and thoughts that it might just be 'one of those days' began to emerge as Maine Road began to flow for the first time in the game with Russell and Turner breaking with purpose but Town's Clarke was immaculate in defence.

By this time Town had withdrawn back-four man Morgan and introduced an extra striker in Cowley. The new man was heavily involved as Town at last broke the ice in the 68th minute. Hennigan was the architect in getting Cowley a clear one-on-one but his angled effort was curling wide until Terry Fearns slid in at speed to divert the ball inside the far post.

Two minutes later the bar saved Maine Road again when Fearns looped a header over the stranded keeper.

Reilly replaced Hennigan as Town decided to hold what they had but they had a minor scare in the 83rd minute when Hargreaves was off target with a snap chance

The goal Town needed to relax came with five minutes remaining and was no more than they deserved. Lee Cooper was the scorer as the Maine Road defence parted like the Red Sea as Nestor and Fearns provided decoy runs enabling a low cross-shot to enter via the far upright.

Having reached the pinnacle, Town now must put league matters aside as they focus on Saturday's Carlsberg FA Vase tie at Consett where victory in County Durham would put them in the last 16. Kick-off is 3pm, coach departs Knowsley Road 9am.

And Town are in further cup action next Tuesday night when they travel to Curzon Ashton in the second round of the Worthington NWCL Challenge Trophy, kick-off 7.45pm.