INJURY ravaged Nantwich Town suffered their seventh consecutive defeat at St Helens Town.

It's not easy for Steve Davis' side at the moment with a makeshift defence and it told as the fourth-placed side banged five past them on Tuesday night.

Karl Robinson made it a nightmare start when netting his 13th of the season after just four minutes.

Although the Dabbers put up some dogged resistance, the home side broke their spirit when Nadin doubled their advantage just before the break.

Nantwich stayed in the game until late on when St Helens netted three quick goals in seven minutes to compound the misery.

Nadin made it a brace on 78 minutes with Gary Jenson and Earley also on the score sheet.

It's tough after the goals went in at Maine Road, last Saturday.

Danny Griggs' 25-yard screamer gave Nantwich a deserved lead that could have been tripled with both Chris Bailey and Matt Blake testing the keeper.

Chris Crookes punished them with a leveller and Road went on to take control in the second half.

Neil Chappell struck early and Alex Yates made it 3-1 before Blake reduced arrears to give the Dabbers hope.

But it was short lived with Ian Walker's crisp volley restoring the two-goal cushion and Chappell adding a fifth before Paul Rutter's consolation.

"It was actually an even game with chances for both sides," explained Davis who was forced to play despite a knee injury.

"In the end they finished off more of their opportunities.

"We're down to the bare bones at the moment.

"Nobody's moaning and we just have to get on with it but it's difficult."

Nantwich have extra incentive of leapfrogging their opponents if they can turn tables at Squires Gate, this Saturday.

They close their NWC Division One campaign with a derby at Congleton Town on April 30.