Bootle 2 Barnoldswick Town 3

TOWN gave their Premier Division survival bid a massive shot in the arm as they came from 2-0 down to record a much-needed victory on Tuesday night with a burst of three goals in ten minutes.

It means they are five points above St Helens Town, the club occupying the last relegation spot, although their rivals do have a match in hand.

Town's final game is at Runcorn Town on Saturday where a draw might just be enough to guarantee their place the top division for another season.

Boosted by the presence of Shaun Airey and John Beckwith, Town had to weather early pressure with Scott Reid having to save from Kieran Halligan and Tom Peterson.

A terrible mix-up in the Town defence after 18 minutes was only rescued by a brilliant Chris Ridehalgh tackle on the edge of the penalty area.

Joel Melia went close for Town before the home side had a goal from James McGrane disallowed for offside.

Bootle finally took the lead after 37 minutes when Town’s Pollard slid the ball into his own net at the near post as he tried to stop it reaching Peterson who had been flagged offside. The referee allowed the goal to stand.

The home side scored again three minutes later when a corner was met powerfully by the head of Bootle’s captain Jamie Hay and Reid couldn't keep it out.

Two goals down at half-time Town were quickly back into the game. Five minutes into the second half, Mark Threlfall forced Richard Cowderoy into fisting the ball clear.

When it was crossed back into the box,Threlfall outjumped the Bootle defence to place a stunning header into the top left hand corner.

Town were now on top of the game searching for an equaliser and it came eight minutes later. Threlfall netted his second with a terrific shot from just inside the Bootle penalty area .

Two minutes later and Town were in front. Melia crossed into the penalty area and Beckwith shrugged off before firing the ball home from eight yards out.

The three goals came in a ten minute spell which could well prove to be the defining passage of play in Town's difficult season.