BIRKENHEAD PARK put the final nail in West Park's coffin in the third minute of injury time with a try near the corner flag by winger Mike Chapman.

The points meant that the visitors had finally turned the result on its head after the home side had controlled the first half convincingly to lead by 20 points at the break.

Both sides were suffering from lack of match practice in recent weeks but the home side went quickly into gear with Warren Hunt getting on the end of an astute kick from Rob Hitchmough to score after just five minutes and add the extras.

Then Ian Critchley scored from a rolling maul before visiting hooker Chris Timms was yellow carded.

Shortly afterwards Hunt got on the end of a kick from Neil Ryan to touch down again before adding a penalty.

The second period saw the visitors wake up and take full control.

With the fog thickening scrum half Steve Lowrie picked up to score from the back of a maul.

Dave Hall converted but missed adding to Chris Timms try minutes later.

Steve Barton was sent to the sin bin allowing Birkenhead to take full advantage with Tony Handley darting over for a converted try.