St Helens Town 0 Mossley 1 AFTER straining at the leash for the past three barren weeks, Town's return to action was something of an anticlimax at Hoghton Road on Saturday when they suffered their first home defeat of the season.

This reverse may not have occurred had they taken a couple of good first-half chances. But Mossley grew in stature as the contest progressed and became dominant in the second half and in the end were value for their victory.

The arrival on crutches to the ground of regular Franny Hill meant a re-shuffle and Glenn Walker played his first match up front since November and was prominent with a couple of early left-wing bursts in a bright opening from both sides.

Mossley's Jones caught the eye and he brought a comfortable save out of Allison in the second minute then later cleverly created a chance for Willcock but his firm blast was always going wide.

In between, Town's Quirk struck an angled drive which keeper Bailey tipped over before vigorous penalty claims were waved aside as Pennington was body checked by Moss.

Midway through the half Town were firmly on top and Lowe found O'Neil free at the far post but the ball rebounded off the striker's knee to safety then a volleyed chance fell to the same player but a weak strike meant an easy save for Bailey. The half eventually closed with Town still knocking on the door and two glorious chances went begging when firstly O'Neil headed into the keeper's arms from six yards then Walker let down his good approach work with a poor shot when a goal looked certain.

The promise of the first half was nowhere to be seen after the interval and Mossley took a firm grip with Willcock having his angled blast tipped over by Allison in the 48th minute. With Pennington firmly shackled the onus was on others to make their presence felt in attack but apart from a Gilmore header which went wide.

Town became totally sterile in this department and Mossley began to seriously threaten on the hour as Jones shot narrowly over following a good left wing move.

Soon after, a sweeping move down the other flank resulted in Willcock sending a near post volley inches over the angle. On 68 minutes Town had another penalty claim turned down when Walker's crossfield pass found O'Neil on the right where he was upended by Murray but contact with the ball was deemed to have been made. The winning goal came on 73 minutes when Chris Willcock burst into a yawning gap down the centre and sped on to beat Allison as he came out.

Town's Lanes Trophies Man of the Match Chris Quirk. Next Saturday Town are at Rossendale United 3pm (coach 12.45pm). Lottery numbers 2,4,6,8,12,13. No claims. This week £1200 on numbers 1-12.

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