Ben Seymour-Shove struck a Bank Holiday Monday double to fire St Ives Town to another notable Southern League Premier Division Central success.

The wideman celebrated a first start of the campaign by bagging both goals in a 2-1 triumph at Royston.

Saints fell behind midway through the first half when the disappointment of conceding a dubious free-kick was only increased as Royston man Ben Martin bundled in the opener.

But they looked the more dangerous side and were rewarded with a leveller on the stroke of half-time when Seymour-Shove finished a clever Robbie Parker free-kick.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men just past the mid-point of the second period as goalscorer Martin received his marching orders for collecting a second caution in the space of just four minutes.

And Saints soon made the most of their numerical advantage as Seymour-Shove raced onto a Parker pass, darted round goalkeeper Harry Smart and finished into a gaping net to clinch a victory which lifted them to third place in the early-season standings.

A moment of controversy at one end and a lack of quality at the other end led to a Bank Holiday Monday loss for St Neots Town.

They were condemned to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of AFC Rushden & Diamonds in front of a bumper 600-plus crowd at the Premier Plus Stadium.

The only goal arrived from the penalty spot after just seven minutes as Diamonds man Ben Farrell made no mistake after Saints defender Taylor Parr had brought down Tom Lorraine . . . outside the box.

Dion Sembie-Ferris saw a header cleared off the line and captain Luke Knight had a long-range free-kick saved as Saints attempted to put that early injustice out of their minds.

But Saints, without injured attackers Dylan Williams and Lewis Irwin and having scored only two goals so far this season, rarely looked like getting themselves level.

A dipping Claudio Ofosu shot, which required a smart save, was one of few moments of threat as the second half fizzled out.