SAINTS endured a nightmare on Merseyside again as three goals in seven minutes early in the second half sent them crashing to a heavy defeat.

They had gifted the first goal on 36 minutes when Francis Benali needlessly conceded the corner which led to Richard Gough heading the home side in front.

Saints folded at the start of the second half with Claus Lundekvam hooking into his own net as he tried to clear from Kevin Campbell.

Within 60 seconds, Francis Jeffers was allowed through to lash the ball into the roof of the net to effectively kill the contest.

But worse followed as Campbell turned in the fourth on 54 minutes after Paul Jones had pushed Nick Barmby's shot on to the bar.

Marian Pahars scored a brave consolation 18 minutes from time but, by then, it was too little too late.

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