Skelmersdale United 1 St Helens Town 2 (aet)

TOWN overcame the odds yet again at White Moss Park on Saturday to clinch a place in the last 64 of the Nationwide Carlsberg FA Vase.

It's been an uphill battle all the way for Town with three successive away ties in all of which they have gone behind before dredging up the resources to win in extra time on each occasion. And they will take the road once more following the draw which pairs them with NWCL Division Two outfit Squiresgate of Blackpool.

Saturday's local derby at Skelmersdale was a tensely-fought affair with an uninspired first half due to Town's recent inactivity and Skem's caution having been walloped at Rossendale the previous week.

Town had a chance in the opening minute when Cooper was put clear by Ashton's pass only to be foiled by a good block by home keeper Holecroft.

Skem centre back McBride then got on the end of a couple of free kicks which caused Wood in the St Helens goal little concern before Cooper went close when lofting a header over Holecroft only to see Price head off the line.

On 25 minutes the clinging conditions saw Town's Clarke under-hit a back pass to Wood enabling Daley to hit a first-time volley towards the vacant net but it went comfortably wide.

Town resumed the second half attacking the High Street end and a Phoenix free kick brought a fine save from Holecroft. Then, with just over an hour gone, Town's Terry Fearns emerged from the bench and was about to write the story of the contest as he replaced Cowley.

Skelmersdale though, had a lot to say before Fearns' dramatic contributions and they could have taken the tie in a vintage spell towards the end of normal time. Kevin Leadbetter was their mainspring and his duel with Wood was the fulcrum of what had by now become a knife edged contest.

Twice the Town keeper won out in 'one-on-one' situations but was saved by the crossbar in the 81st minute as Leadbetter's effort cannoned down minutes after a penalty claim went unheeded as the two chased a cross ball out along the byline.

The tension was high as the sides embarked upon extra time. Town threatened first but Kirwan's cross was inches too high for Cooper before Fearns over-elaborated when cutting along the byline with Cooper free on the six-yard line.

Skem's Leadbetter had been the game's top performer and in the 97th minute he swept United ahead as a loose ball fell invitingly following a free kick.

Town now had a mountain to climb but they turned around with the fresh legs of Dunn and Morgan to supplement the big push and posted notice as Phoenix sent a long-range blaster narrowly over. With limbs tiring in the sapping going one man seemed to have two yards on everyone else -- Town's Terry Fearns. His pace and skill began to cause havoc and with 108 minutes gone he pounced upon a tired clearance and skipped over the surface to prod the equaliser past Holecroft as he came out.

Town were roaring now with Morgan delivering dangerous crosses from the left and just four minutes later the memorable winner came when the Skem back line missed a lively bounce and Fearns ran clear to deceive Holecroft with a lovely feint and virtually walk the ball home.

On Saturday Town entertain Nantwich Town at Knowsley Road, kick-off 3pm, in a league game. Next Tuesday (November 21) they are due at Prescot in the Liverpool Senior Cup, 7.30pm. (For confirmation ring 09066-555-944 from Sunday).