ST HELENS Town return to winning ways with a 4-1 win at Maine Road Reserves - a venue they know well from NWCL football.

And the visit to one of non league football's most character filled grounds Town start brightly with an opener from Ryan Cook.

Cook would soon depart with a hamstring strain and Maine Road FC pounced on this disruption to convert a penalty and equalise on 33 minutes.

Andy Cook switched from left back to play the remainder of the half as a makeshift striker and the man who would challenge Alan Harper for the title of 'Mr Versatile' would settle Town's nerves when he headed home an Alfie Stott cross just before half time.

Stott had grown into the game by this stage and only the length of the uncut Brantingham Road grass seemed to be halting his progress.

Liam Diggle came off the bench at half time and almost immediately after kick off his cross was turned in by Stott to put Town 3-1 up.

Shortly after a Danny Hughes cross was returned across the face of goal by Luke Diggle for brother Liam to fire in from close range and put the game beyond doubt on 55 minutes.

Paul Piert gave a second half debut to Chris Foster and Pacey Garret and Foster would blaze over the bar on 60 minutes.

Liam Diggle also went close but Town could not add to their tally whilst Maine Road's only foray into the Town half saw Rugg save at full stretch as the game ended Town 4 Maine Road FC 1.

Town now have two weeks off whilst Town under 23s return to action this coming Saturday at Ruskin with a 3pm kick off versus Orford FC.