Helsby lost the second match of their double header against Heswall, suffering a 2-1 defeat despite a good all round performance against a side still harbouring title hopes.

Helsby started brightly and were unlucky not to take the lead inside the first five minutes, Adam Pepera stealing in behind the Heswall back line but he saw his powerful shot crash back off the bar. But the course of the game effectively changed moments later when Paul Hives was dismissed for handling on the line from a Heswall corner, leaving the visitors to play for more than 80 minutes with a man down. The ensuing penalty was converted to give Heswall a 1-0 lead. Helsby competed doggedly, with keeper David Cliff pulling off a string of fine saves. Mark Richards nearly brought Helsby level, but his shot was diverted away at the end of a mazy run.

Helsby worked tirelessly after the interval to keep themselves in with a chance of an unlikely point, and it took until the 85th minute for Heswall to take a decisive 2-0 lead, Helsby caught on the break. But the visitors refused to lie down and finally scored a well deserved goal, Gary Lunt bringing down Reece Conlan's pass inside the box to lash the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards. Unfortunately time had run out and Helsby, for all their endeavour, returned home empty handed.