Daisy Hill fell to a disappointing first league defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 to FC St Helens in their North West Counties League First Division North clash at New Sirs on Saturday.

After going behind to a first-half header from FC St Helens defender Harris Saunders, Ryan Talbot levelled for Daisy eight minutes into the second half with a wonder strike from inside his own half.

But within four minutes the visitors struck with what proved to be the winner, when full-back Steve Ashton pounced on a slack pass to fire home.

After the game, Daisy manager Lee Hill reflected ruefully on missed chances that cost his side dearly.

“I thought we matched them really well, but in the end it is a disappointing result, because I think as a minimum we should have got a draw out of that game,” said Hill. “They are a really good side and they will be up there this season competing to win the league, and that is probably the biggest test we have had so far.

“It is positive that we can match these teams, but we can’t keep matching them and losing, we have to start winning.

“We had a really good chance in the first five minutes to make it 1-0 and didn’t take it, and that came back to haunt us a little bit when they scored soon afterwards.

“But we reacted well, and we had done a bit of homework on them and knew their keeper likes to play high. We said to the lads if they got the chance have a look and have a shot if it’s on. Ryan (Talbot) took in the information well and scored a fantastic goal, and for 15 minutes after that we were on top and made two or three really good chances that we didn’t take.

“The lads are really disappointed but there is a quick turnaround and we have to go over to Shelley now on Tuesday and go after three points, and I’m sure the lads will be up for it.”

Daisy began well, and created their first chance in the fifth minute when a flick-on from Talbot put Jamie Ramwell through on goal but he steered his shot wide of the far post.

Adam Farrell then fired over the bar before the visitors created their first chance, with Daisy keeper Morgan Newns making a great blocking save from a Thomas Scarborough shot.

But from the resulting corner, FC St Helens took the lead, with central defender Saunders ghosting in unmarked at the far post to head home from close range.

The remainder of the half saw both sides enjoy a share of possession without creating much in the way of clear chances, although four minutes from half time Daisy keeper Newns had to make a smart save in a one-on-one with visiting striker Joe Barker.

After the break Daisy again began well, and after a Henry Chalkley’s through ball set up another shooting chance for Ramwell that flew just over, they drew level in the 53rd minute.

It was a wonderful piece of opportunism from striker Talbot, who picked up the ball inside his own half and, spotting FC St Helens keeper Joe Mason was positioned on the edge of the penalty area, lofted a shot that flew over the head of the stranded keeper.

But within four minutes FC St Helens were ahead once more, when full-back Ashton intercepted a Newns clearance, raced through a gap in the Daisy defence, and finished with a low shot.

Daisy continued to press forward and created a number of chances, with substitute Harvey Roberts almost making an immediate impact with his first touch of the ball, when his pass played Ramwell through on goal, but the striker fired wide from the edge of the box.

Farrell had a goalbound free-kick deflected for a corner, and then Chalkley was denied with by a fine point-blank save from Mason.

As Daisy pushed forward they were always susceptible to the counter attack, and with five minutes left FC St Helens substitute Nathan Dutton-Kay found the back of the net only for the goal to be flagged offside.

With 10 minutes of stoppage time played due to injuries and substitutions, Daisy continued to pile on the pressure, but FC St Helens held out for the win to maintain their 100-per-cent start to the league campaign.

Daisy are back in league action again tonight when they travel to West Yorkshire to face Shelley (8pm).

Hill's men then host Route One Rovers on Saturday (3pm).