Bacup 0 St Helens Town 0

TOWN'S quartet of injured strikers were sadly missed last week when two quality displays were let down by the lack of a cutting edge as both Skelmersdale in mid-week and Bacup on Saturday both took a point after playing second fiddle for long periods.

Given that John McAllister and Lee Pegram are long term absentees, Town boss Joe Paladino had made an astute signing this week with the capture of former Prescot Cables top scorer Gary Jenson who it is hoped will make his debut in this Saturday's FA Vase tie up in Sunderland.

Though the current lack of goals may be a problem there is little wrong elsewhere and this is underlined by the fact that Town have yet to concede a goal in four away games and on Saturday at Bacup, keeper Paul Dahl had another comfortable afternoon behind the excellent Flood, Jennings and Sheppard.

The first half hour was all St Helens but Bacup's former Bolton and Wigan keeper Dave Felgate was not over stretched as Gibiliru and Fairbrother shot wide.

It was not until the 32nd minute that Bacup posed any threat and though Emmett struck his 30-yarder firmly enough, Dahl saw it all the way but it lit the home fuse and seconds later Stanley cut in from the right only to fire into the side netting.

Bacup finish the half with a flourish as Jennings made a crucial tackle on Stanley before Emmett's trickery created a shooting chance for Stanley but the ground shot was off target.

Despite the hosts late flurry up to the interval Town had been well on top and began the second half in the same way with Milsom facing Felgate to race out of his area to clear before Fairbrothers looping header needed a vital clearance by home skipper Hughes.

Still a goal wouldn't come and Bacup drew confidence from this and Town closed ranks to block Stanley's blast after a good Emmett-Wilkinson link with further efforts from Bates and Emmett causing Paul Dahl little concern.

In between Town had mounted a swift raid when Milsom and Gibiliru exchanged passes but the latter's shot was just too high.

The final ten minutes saw Town have two valid penalty claims turned down to Bacup's one but there was to be no easy route to goal.

On Saturday Town are back in Carlsberg FA Vase action at Northern League outfit Kenneck Ryhope (3pm, coach 10am).

Any replay will be at Knowsley Road on Tuesday, September 28, 7.45pm. This same date is also pencilled in for Town v Glossop North End in a NWCL league match, providing neither are involved in FA Vase replays.