A HEAVY defeat, yes - but no disaster.
Town did much better than the scoreline suggests and struck the woodwork early in the second half when only one adrift.
The Cymru Alliance side, relieved at Ged Bushell's effort rebounding off the bar, broke for Dean Hughes to grab his second from close range.
The last two Flint goals came in the final 10 minutes of this competitive friendly.
Hughes' six-yard headed opener, approaching half-time, had come largely against the run of play - and Town's Aaron Conlon had gone off injured.
Keeper Andy Murphy was forced into an earlier full-length save yet by that time Kevin Ward had been thwarted by a goalline clearance while Town team-mate Craig Threlfall lobbed onto the roof of the net.
Darren Moore and man of the match Ben Stubbs had driven the visitors forward as they made light of a 15-minute kick-off delay due to heavy traffic on the coast road.
Town had chances, even at 2-0 down, with Ward being crowded out, striker Matty Johnson thwarted by a charge down and Moore seeing a shot deflect wide off a defender.
Sean Beck scored twice in the last eight minutes to flatter Flint although his first - a fierce 20-yard volley - had even the Town bench applauding. TOWN: Murphy, Enamu, Pheonix, R Conlon (Mark Johnson), Threlfall, Matty Johnson (Randall), Moore, Stubbs, A Conlon (Ginever), Ward, Bushell. Attendance:
183. nTown receive Unibond Premier League side Burscough including their ex-Runcorn FC Halton contingent - led by manager Liam Watson - at Pavilions on Saturday (ko 3pm - admission £1).
Entry to tonight's home friendly with Warrington & District League Premier Division side Monks Sports (ko 7pm) is free. nMatch sponsorship of Town's West Cheshire League games is available - the top package costing £50 per match, including hospitality for up to four people and website advertising. Contact Martin Fallon on 07808 737773.
* Town continue to hold open training sessions before the 2006/07 season launch on Saturday week - report to Pavilions on Tuesday or Thursday (6.30pm).
