Penrith 2

St Helens Town 1 AS the final whistle sounded a thumping drive landed in the grateful arms of Penrith keeper Graham Byram and Town's bold bid to salvage a point had run out of time.

Earlier Town had started sluggishly and allowed the Cumbrians the luxury of a two goal lead. But once Town had mounted their revival after Walker's introduction, the game became a test of survival for fourth placed Penrith.

A rather tame affair came to life in the 11th minute when Penrith's Fyffe did well up the left and when the deflected cross fell invitingly, Marcus Johnson drilled home a shot on the turn as Town keeper Allison tried to spread himself.

Byram, in the Penrith goal, only had routine work to deal with, with a testing cross from Hill causing his greatest concern but it was all speculative as far as Town were concerned and had Reilly not got in a fine block on Johnson, the situation at the break could have been worse for the Hoghton Roaders.

After the break, Town were a different proposition and began dictating possession as they attacked the Shap and and it was rather cruel when Penrith broke to add a second against the run of play in the 54th minute.

Tony Fyffe was the scorer but Town keeper Allison deserves credit for a great save from the initial header but the rebound fell kindly for the Cumbrian to force the ball into the roof of the net.

Town's response was to send on Walker for Martinus and from then on St Helens asked all the questions and had a valid penalty claim when Walmesley was body checked by the keeper but the dramatic tumble did not endear the Town case to the referee.

However, on 66 minutes Town did get a foothold in the match when Lowe's free kick was headed to the area's edge by Penrith's Kirby and Steve Pennington unleashed a great drive which flashed in off the post. Four minutes later Town almost drew level but Walker could not stretch enough at the far post after keeper Byram had parried Penningtons angled volley skywards.

Crosses came in from either side and home full-back Rigby almost sliced Walker's effort into his own net while a further effort deflected the wrong side of the post.

This Saturday Town entertain Eastwood Hanley at Hoghton Road (3pm).

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