St Helens Town 0

West Auckland Town 3

TOWN turned in a low profile display on a high profile day and the outcome was a sheepish departure from this year's FA Cup competition.

They seemed to be suffering a hangover from their first league defeat in mid-week against Congleton and looked only a pale shadow of the squad which made such a fine start to the campaign.

Defending the Dunriding Lane end first, Town looked shaky indeed and a slip by Jennings almost gifted Milroy a 4th minute opener but the striker fired off target.

The 9th minute produced Town's first real threat on goal but Collinson got down to turn Cunningham's shot around the post and when the Durham side cleared the resultant corner kick, Lawton shaved the St Helens post with a firm header from ten yards.

Town had another reprieve when Stout hit the bar after catching Dahl off his line and minutes later when the St Helens keeper emerged with the ball following a scramble, it seemed Town's luck was in.

It eventually ran out in the 35th minute when a fine break and first time cross by Lawton enabled Mike Latimer to head past Dahl despite the keeper's good effort to keep it out.

Up to the break Town's only two threats had been a Flood effort which flew at the keeper and a Milsom free kick which zipped low across the six yard line without anyone getting a touch.

After the break Town enjoyed a ten minute spell in which they had the visitors firmly on the back foot with Stout making a couple of timely headers to clear his lines before Gibiliru narrowly headed wide from Cliff's cross.

On 50 minutes the keeper stuck out a boot to deny Cunningham the equaliser and Town were in full flow as Flood volleyed over following good work by Gibiliru.

Then, in the 56th minute and totally against the run of play, West Auckland broke down the left for Colin Lawton to cut in and put his side two up with a low shot inside the far post. This was a hammer blow from which Town were not to recover despite a double substitution and their one chance of a lifeline went begging in the 65th minute when Gibiliru couldn't convert the scraps after keeper Collinson had spilled Fairbrother's free kick.

In the 75th minute the visitors put the issue firmly beyond doubt when Town's disease of giving away penalty kicks showed again.

The trickery and pace of Milroy brought a trip from behind and up stepped Brian Fairhurst to send a good Durham contingent into early celebrations in the knowledge that even with 15 minutes to go, the contest was well and truly won.

This Saturday Town begin their trek in the Carlsberg FA Vase and they travel up to the north east to take on Murton of Wearside (kick off 3pm, coach 10am).

Town's next league game is at Knowsley Road on Tuesday, September 14, 7.45pm against Skelmersdale United (FA Vase replays excepted).