ST HELENS Town advanced to the second round of the Cheshire County Cup in a titanic battle with Knutsford FC at the Cheshire team's Manchester road ground.

Having been drawn against a team who had topped the division above Town's current level for the majority of the season to date was always going to be a tough ask.

The feeling amongst the sizeable travelling contingent supporting Town was that the blues unbeaten record could be under threat.

In a first half that saw Town match Knutsford every inch of the way, Town had the better of the chances only to be thwarted on several occasions by outstanding Knutsford keeper Dominic Smith.

The pick of the bunch following an outstanding passage of Town team play involving several passes before Gibson cleverly chested the ball into the path of Cook who saw Smith save his effort from close range.

Gibson seemed to cover every blade of grass in the first half and would also be denied by Smith during a goalmouth scramble that saw further shots from Diggle and Cook also blocked after Charlie Leech had neatly brought the ball down and crossed.

Leech was proving a difficult proposition for Knutsford to handle but would need to be replaced at halftime through injury after drawing several fouls from opposition defenders.

However it was Knutsford who took the lead right before halftime when Draper nearly turned and finished after beating two Town defenders.

The second half was a tight, physical affair again, with outstanding young centre back Jake Sant not only dominating physically but also showing excellent composure when carrying the ball forward.

One such foray saw him strike from distance for an early Town effort but chances were at a premium as Knutsford were proving tough to break down.

On 65 minutes, Wetton who having replaced Leech and would prove to be equally problematic for the Knutsford broke clear but again Smith denied Town.

Within minutes though, Cook's work rate saw him upended in the box by a Knutsford defender to earn a Town penalty.

Captain Liam Diggle stepped up but was unable to convert.

The score remained 1-0 to Knutsford and time was starting to run out for Town.

(Image: Mary Castrogiovanni)

Manager Paul Piert decided to gamble by switching Sant from centre back to centre forward and the youngster had already been named man of the match to the travelling fans when on 92 minutes the ball was played wide to Wetton.

The young winger beat two defenders with poise and balance before crossing for Sant to head home and equalise to the strains of 'Oh when the Saints' from the Town fans.

Full time, 1-1 and on to penalties!

Wetton, Buckley-Benbow, Cook and Gibson would convert during the initial 5 penalties with Foster and Sant converting during sudden death.

However, it would be Town keeper Lewis Jenkinson who would steal the show with three penalty saves to send Town into the next round (Final score 5-6)!

Jenkinson has Town in his blood with his Father having managed the club in the North West Counties and two older brothers having played for Town with distinction.

And after his winning save he was joined by the entire playing squad in racing behind the goal to celebrate with the Town fans.

Town's unbeaten run now stretches to 12 league and cup games and the Marksmen will return to action next at the PSD Rentals stadium, Ruskin on 2 November against Hartford FC, kick off 3pm.

Entry is free courtesy of club sponsor MCR Building Services.