St Helens Town 1 Salford City 0 TOWN performed heroics to take all three points from Saturday's opening game of the season, having been reduced to 10 men as early as the 14th minute, then having survive in the punishing heat.

In fact they did more than survive as they took the honours through superb teamwork.

And twice in the second half came within a whisker of increasing their tally with headers from Walker and Williams.

Pennington almost got Town's season off to a sensational start when, within seconds, he intercepted Osborne's loose pass and burst downfield. But 'keeper Merrick just got down to save at his near post.

In a Salford reply Town 'keeper Allison showed his mettle with a fine swoop at the feet of Dodd, following Oldbury's great pass.

Then on 14 minutes and with Town in the ascendancy, Chris Walmesley was sent off after a flare-up with Lomas.

And with Gilmore having to drop deeper, Town's attacking options were limited. However, Walker and Pennington responded superbly up front with some tireless running.

And at the back, great discipline restricted Salford to an Osborne effort which sped wide of the far post.

On 25 minutes Town got the break they needed when Steve Pennington rattled home a spot kick after he had been tripped after catching Boden in possession.

Town finished the half comfortably on top with Hill only inches away from converting Phoenix's cross, while Pennington had Merrick colliding with the posts as a hanging cross caused problems.

The half-time question was: "Can Town keep it up?"

And the answer came immediately as Town pressed forward through Lowe and Reilly. On 58 minutes Williams' corner was not cleared properly and when he put the ball over again Walker was just inches away with a glancing header.

Seven minutes later Town enjoyed a piece of good fortune when Salford's Dodd headed in from a free-kick. But the flag went up against Osborne who stood in front of goal.

All the time Pennington was finding space on the right and delivering some great crosses. And from such a move Williams powered in a header which cannoned down off the bar and onto the line, with Walker unable to reach the high bounce as he raced in.

By now Salford had used all three subs, but couldn't dent Town's resilience and again Pennington provided the cross for Gilmore to head firmly. But 'keeper Merrick was well placed.

With 10 minutes left the St Helens goal-scorer left the action to warm applause and sub Gwyther came on to play his part in frustrating Salford whose final fling saw a Garside effort fly way over the bar and Town were home and dry.

This Saturday Town travel to Nantwich (coach 1pm prompt) before another away game on Bank Holiday Monday when Mossley are the opponents (3pm).

Numbers drawn in this week's Town lottery were 2, 4, 8, 11, 12, and 18. There were no winners and this weekend's jackpot stands at £595.

TOWN: Allison, Walmesley, Phoenix, Lowe (Capt), Reilly, Kirwan, Williams, Gilmore, Walker, Pennington, Hill. Subs: Gwyther, Vedmore and Quirk.

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