Scott Sinclair fired his first goal of the season to keep St Ives Town on top of the Southern League Division One (Central) table.

The wideman struck with a high-class effort with 13 minutes to go to light up another terrific defensive display from the depleted table-toppers as they secured a 1-0 success at Potters Bar.

It extended their unbeaten run to five league games and maintained a one-point cushion at the summit.

Boss Ricky Marheineke said: “I’m really pleased to get another big three points.

“It was one of those games that was always going to be settled by a mistake or a bit of brilliance - and Scott provided the latter.

“It is another result which demonstrates the importance of defending well and keeping clean sheets. When that happens you always have a chance of winning games.

“It doesn’t matter if it isn’t pretty and it is doesn’t matter if it isn’t pleasing on the eye. What matters is putting points on the board and we’ve found a way to do that.

“The lads deserve all the credit for the way they are working so hard.

“It’s a case of so far, so good and it sets us up nicely going into a run of big games.”

St Neots Town couldn’t repeat their play-off heroics of last season as they were beaten 3-0 at Southern League Premier Division leaders Poole.

David Batch’s men triumphed in Dorset in the semi-finals of the promotion shoot-out last season before controversially beaten by Truro in the final.

But there was no repeat of that success today. They fell behind after just five minutes in Dorset and a second goal from the hosts early in the second half increased the deficit.

And St Neots’ hopes of a fightback were ended by a third goal with 18 minutes to go.

Boss Batch has transfer-listed defender Connor Hall and released midfielder Josh Beech.