Taking advantage of a pitch in first rate condition Horncastle made good passing moves around the field and made some good chances, but it took until the 21st minute to open the scoring.

Jonjo Cook was fouled wide on the left and Keiran Hotchin struck the free-kick directly into the top right hand corner to give Horncastle the lead.

Keeping the pressure up Horncastle added to the lead when Edward Wood shot through a crowded penalty area from 18 yards out with five minutes of the half remaining to put Town 2-0 up.

Scothern steadied in the second half and started to cause a few problems.

Jack Hughes made a good save low down at the left post and soon after had to come out of his goal quickly to beat a Scothern forward to the ball.

But when a quick pass split Town's defence Edward Smith latched onto the ball to score for Scothern.

Horncastle join St Helens A and B teams on equal points for second place in the league.

They are in the play offs for promotion to Division A and for second place at Woodhall Spa Football Ground on Friday, May 2 at 6.30pm.