Squiresgate 0

TOWN'S trip to Blackpool on Saturday produced an absorbing contest but both sides lacked an end product resulting in a rare goalless encounter.

The missing ingredient on a day when all three points would have been very handy was Town front man Gary Jensen whose injury sustained against Salford kept him sidelined.

Indeed it was Jensen whose single goal was the reverse fixture at Knowsley Road and Town went into Saturdays contest aware that another tight affair was likely.

Town were particularly impressive in the first half as neat passing and movement kept Squiresgate on the back foot but the hosts had an excellent servant in youngster Rob Lloyd who's defensive qualities look to have him destined for bigger things.

The ninth minute should have produced a St Helens penalty kick when home right back Paynter deliberately fell on top of Robinson who had squirmed behind him on the six yard line but referee Metcalfe said no.

Town asked all the questions for 30 minutes, but the home back line repeatedly got in vital blocks and clearing headers.

And with their young keeper Morris showing safe hands, Town's approach needed to be patient. They should however have gone ahead in the 32nd minute when a Gibiliru flick on sent Robinson clear but his wild finish appeared on the radar of the adjacent airport rather than in the back of the net.

Up to this point Squiresgate had only spasmodic raids lead by Sugden and they were reduced to long range shooting with Bingham twice comfortably clearing the bar.

The half closed with Town forcing a series of corner kicks one of which almost produced an own goal off Tracey but the hosts held out with keeper Morris also doing well under pressure.

Within a minute of the re-start a Gibiliru pass set up Robinson but a scuffed effort from 20 yards went tamely wide and in the 55th minute the same player swivelled onto Flood's free kick but couldn't keep a difficult chance down.

Squiresgate could have gone ahead on 77 minutes but Dahl made a good block from Harvey whilst simultaneously Town's threat was now only coming from 'set pieces'.

One such instance saw Nolan send a stretching header wide from Flood's delivery but it was the hosts who were now stringing passes together and with ten minutes left Rhodes shot tamely at Dahl after being released by a neat 'one-two'.

Town needed to regain the initiative if they weren't to have their pockets picked and they did, with home keeper Morris doing well at Robinson's feet before a Nolan dipper narrowly cleared his crossbar.

On Saturday Town are in League Cup Third Round action at Atherton LR (3pm). They still await a date for their Knowsley Road Senior Cup tie against Liverpool FC.