ST HELENS Town made it 14 games unbeaten this season with another Liverpool County Cup win, this time 3-2 against River Juniors FC at the Jeffrey Humble Ground in Aintree.

Paul Piert rotated his starting line-up and played Charlie Simpson as a centre forward and it was Simpson's industry early on along with the efforts of lively wing men Leech and Clapham that created several half chances for Town.

Ian Roby captained the team with Liam Diggle starting on the bench and on 12 minutes it was Roby's energy that set Town on the front foot.

Leech's angled cross from the right was headed into the bottom corner by youngster Archie Hanson for his first goal in blue and Town were one up.

Hanson's midfield partner Pacey Garrett was also having a major impact offering 'bite' in the middle of the park and Town were very much in the ascendency.

When Alex Peterson crossed on 25 minutes, Charlie Simpson headed home at the back post in an almost identical fashion to the first Town goal for 2-0.

Inside a minute though Lee Jenkinson was be called upon to make a fantastic save from a River header to remind Town of the threat posed by the Liverpool-based team.

That threat was realised on 38 minutes when River scored a breakaway goal and kept the game very much in the balance at half time.

The second half was a much more even contest although Town had the better chances, with Leech again causing the home team problems.

Piert made five changes on 65 minutes with Diggle, Cook, Sant, Marsh and Jones all coming on to give Town fresh impetus.

Diggle, in particular, showed his class and went close to scoring with a header and then a driven effort from 25 yards, both of which were well saved by the home keeper.

James Jones also saw a fine effort curl just wide but River were not done and a second breakaway goal square dthings up on 80 minutes and the tie looked to be heading to penalties.

However this Town team have made a habit of scoring late this season and a Leech corner on 88 minutes was deflected into the River goal by the home keeper under pressure from Sant.

It was a thunderous end that was well appreciated by the sizeable away support that had travelled along the East Lancs Road.

The next round of matches will likely be played in the new year.

In the meantime, Town return to league action on Saturday at PSD Rentals Stadium, Ruskin, for a 3pm kick off versus Rylands Development.

Entry is free to all home games courtesy of MCR Building Services.