An injury ravaged Ridge were shot down by a 94th minute winner from a persistent Stripes side.

Town deservedly led just 20 seconds into the second half, after a Will Procter opener.

However a late turnaround saw FC St Helens come away with a massive three points to keep up their play-off hunt.

The injury crisis saw manager Lee Ashcroft have to name himself on the bench, the first time he was involved in the squad in over a decade.

Lucas Wane also came into the XI for an injured Paul Turner.

Town got the game underway but saw themselves quickly under pressure.

A 40 second goal from St Helens' Joe Barker was disallowed, with the striker being flagged offside.

A half chance went the way of Ryan Sinnott, who smashed wide from a tight angle.

Town then started to gain some impotence around the 20th minute.

Defender Joe Blake drove into space before firing just over the top right corner from 25 yards.

Procter then began to make himself a nuisance, flashing it across goal from the right hand side after chasing it down.

Luke Smith connected with the delivery but his volley rose just over the bar.

Josh Ashe then got round his man and looked to be heading into a one-on-one with St Helens 'keeper Joe Mason.

However, Hoppe would bring him down, earning himself the game's first booking.

The resulting free kick was bent just over the bar by Jack Anderton.

Leighton Hewitt then came infield from right back, drifting past a couple of midfielders before sending Anderton on his way.

The attacker rifled at goal, only for Mason to punch it over the bar.

The home side then finished the half with ten men, as defender John Dunlop was sin-binned.

Town started the second half perfectly.

Despite a St Helens kick off, Town won it back instantly.

Procter raced onto a lofted pass from Miller Megson and side-footed it past Mason to break the deadlock.

The hosts looked for an instant response, as Barker found the inside of the far post from a tight angle.

Town thought they'd get a second moments later, as did everyone.

Smith reworked a cross from Procter into Ashe, who had the goal at his mercy from five yards out.

Unfortunately, the ball sat up on the bobbly surface, meaning the midfielder was unable to make clean contact.

The hosts then cleared their lines.

Moments later, St Helens got a penalty.

A goalbound effort struck the arm of Joe Blake, forcing the referee to point to the spot.

Kai Crowe did magnificently to get down to the right and parry the spot kick away from goal.

Sensing the danger, Ashcroft went his bench, replacing Luke Smith with Ben Fletcher.

However, following a goalmouth scramble from a set piece, Darren Brannigan poked home the leveller with 15 minutes to play.

Ashe then made way for Carson Greaves.

Megson, enjoying a fantastic game at the back, drove forward and lofted an inch perfect cross into Anderton.

The attacker's bicycle kick deflected wide with help from the post.

The hosts then chucked everything but the kitchen sink at Town, as they came close as we entered stoppage time.

Town's worst fears were then realised, as Hoppe turned a cross into the Town net with his head to spark wild scenes.

The Ridge went down fighting but the referee then blew his full time whistle.

Thank you to the brilliant travelling support today.

We go again on Tuesday 24th March when we host Padiham at Inglewhite Road.

Despite the overwhelming injuries, the boys did themselves proud against a good side.

#UpTheRidge

MOTM: Miller Megson

The Goals:

FC St Helens: Brannigan (74'), Hoppe (90+4')

Longridge: Procter (46')

The Teams:

FC St Helens: Mason, Collinge, Hagan (Van-Astom 59'), Hoppe, Ball, Dunlop, Sharp (Ekundayo 85'), Sinnott (Brannigan 68'), King (McNamara 59') Lawless, Barker

Longridge: Crowe, Hewitt, Blake, Marshall, Megson, Anderton, Gough, Smith (Fletcher 72'), Ashe (Greaves 79'), Wane, Procter