FLEETWOOD'S fairytale friendly ended with a 6-1 disappointment at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night -- but the benefits will see Town through the season.

The likes of world cup star El Hadji Diouf and new signing, Steve Finnan joined Reds stars of the future to entertain a sell-out crowd.

For 18 minutes, a side who will be playing in the North-West Counties League next season, held their own until a handball by Frank Cygal gave Diouf the chance to put his side ahead from the penalty spot.

Bruno Cheyrou and a brace from Milan Baros made it 4-0 at half time as the men from Anfield staked their claims to places in the first team.

However, the second half went better and there was a dream moment for Fleetwood on 69 minutes. Lee Catlow scored a goal he will never forget with a free kick which beat substitute keeper, Patrice Luzi.

But Liverpool weren't finished, scoring a fifth through John Welsh and a sixth through impressive Frenchman, Anthony Le Tallec.

But Lancaster businessman, Mick Hoyle, still has plenty to thank his young son, Dominic, who asked Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier to bring his side to the port after a chance meeting on a plane, for.

Town are estimated to have made around £20,000 from the match -- a welcome boost for a club playing at a level of football where cash is always in short supply.

* EMLYN Hughes was in the thoughts of Blackpool and Liverpool fans this week after the former England captain underwent an operation for a brain tumour.

Hughes started his career at Bloomfield Road in the mid 1960s, before legendary Reds manager, Bill Shankly, took him to Anfield in February 1967 for £60,000 -- a massive fee for a player who was still just 19 years old.

Hughes went on to become an Anfield legend, captaining the side to its first two European cup victories before joining Wolves in 1979. He also managed Rotherham and Hull City, with some success, before becoming a team captain on the popular quiz show, A Question of Sport.

Although the operation is said to have been a success, he still needs to go through more radiotherapy.