ON a day when the elements made football a lottery it was all a matter of attitude and despite being depleted, Town chiselled out three crucial points after twice coming from behind.

A heavy pitch and raging downfield wind meant this was never going to be a classic and despite having the wind in their favour, Town found themselves behind after only three minutes when Nantwich's Matt Blake converted good work on the right wing by Griggs.

The 20th minute almost saw Town go two down but Dahl produced a fine save in the top corner to deny Blake and the reprieve proved a 'spur' as within two minutes Town were level when Stuart Hilton netted at the far post after debutant Townsend had miscued a header.

Both sides threatened up to the interval but home keeper Reade and his defenders twice blocked close range efforts from McMullen but Town were spared a half time deficit by a schoolboy error from Nantwich's Griggs who passed to the 'offside' Rutter when he could well have scored himself.

As Town resumed into the raging wind they had a stiff task ahead given that they were only on level terms but they did equip themselves well with Fairbrother whipping over swirling crosses which were a nightmare to judge and home full back O'Brien was lucky to escape a 49th minute penalty appeal for 'hands'.

On 57 minutes keeper Reade made a sprawling parry from Robinson's effort with Morrison doing well to tidy up from Town's Tony McMullen but as driving rain now lashed into St Helens' faces, Paul Dahl had to make a vital block from Blake with Morrison chipping the loose ball over.

After 57 minutes Nantwich regained the lead and it owed a lot to a fine left wing burst by O'Brien who cut back to Paul Rutter who's first time finish gave Dahl no chance.

Town rolled up their sleeves to take the wind out of the Nantwich sails by levelling in the 78th minute.

It came courtesy of a classic header from Karl Robinson but it owed a lot to McMullen on the right and from this point Town exerted more pressure on the home rearguard who began to make errors.

The corners of Fairbrother were always posing a St Helens threat but keeper Reade coped well but he could do little about Town's spectacular winner which came in the 82nd minute when new boy Richie Townsend cut in from the left and fired a 20 yarder into the top corner.

Town are three points behind leaders Fleetwood who come to Knowsley Road on Saturday for the NWCL 'Match of the Season' (kick off 3pm).