FC St Helens’ long-awaited second away league match of the season saw them come out on top at AFC Liverpool, thanks to goals from CJ Spiers and Josh Hall, writes Liam McDermott.

Having entered this one on the back of a string of fine results, The Stripes had momentum in abundance.

After seeing Spiers denied by some intelligent and astute defending, when he looked to connect with a fine cross, he wasn’t to be kept at bay for much longer — less than a minute, in actuality.

Jack Ball has established himself as one of The Stripes’ set-piece specialists in his long tenure with the club and he displayed his prowess once more, with a corner that was begging Spiers to glance home — which he duly obliged to, with just three minutes on the clock.

With that, FC St Helens were firmly in the ascendancy and, after an array of opportunities to extend their lead, they finally proceeded to do so — with a near carbon copy of the opener.

Recent performances have seen Hall enter a rich vein of form and he added to his tally for the campaign, with a header that owed much to the pinpoint delivery of youngster, Liam Cuthbert.

On the back of a sublime in-swinger, the FC St Helens frontman rose highest to power beyond Jack McGovern — giving Michael Smith’s side some comfort, ahead of the second half.

And they would be thankful for it.

In what was a classic case of a game of two halves, the hosts came out all guns blazing and were only incentivised by those setbacks.

After seeing leading scorer for the campaign, Elliot Taylor, denied by a stellar stop from Joe Mason — AFC Liverpool would reduce the away side’s lead, for what would set up a grand stand finish with less than 20 minutes remaining.

That 20 minutes must have felt like an eternity for Smith and co., whose defensive displays saw them hold on — thanks largely to some superb goalkeeping from Mason and some brilliant bravery from Nathan Carnell to put his body on the line, when needed.

And a frustrating night for the hosts was concluded by former Pilkington man Louie Lancaster being dismissed for violent conduct, in stoppage-time.

That battling performance and subsequent result sees FC St Helens rise to third, with their aspirations and promotion credentials firmly emphasised.