Ten-man St Neots Town escaped from rock-bottom Gosport Borough with a hard-fought Southern League Premier Division victory last Saturday.

The Hunts Post: Scott Sinclair went off injured in the victory at Gosport Borough. Picture: CLAIRE HOWESScott Sinclair went off injured in the victory at Gosport Borough. Picture: CLAIRE HOWES (Image: Archant)

Dylan Williams’ seventh goal of the season proved enough to earn maximum points as Saints extended their fine recent run of form to just one defeat in the past 10 league games.

Williams struck from the penalty spot in the 10th minute after the dangerous Dion Sembie-Ferris had been hauled down in the box.

But it was from being a vintage performance from Saints as they went up against a basement side who have only collected one point all season.

They weren’t helped by the loss of wideman cott Sinclair to a dead leg midway through the first half and then played the closing 30 minutes with only 10 men following the dismissal of Kyran Wiltshire for a high challenge.

Wiltshire now faces a four-match suspension ater receiving his marching orders for the second time in the past month. He was also sent off in an October home defeat at the hands of Weymouth.

But those negatives were offset by the positive of keeping a clean sheet for only the second time this season.

Goalkeeper Michael Emery made a couple of smart saves - the best of them coming soon after Wiltshire saw red.

“We huffed and puffed,” admitted manager Matt Clements. “It is probably the most disappointed we have felt after picking up three points.

“But that in itself is a positive. This is exactly the sort of game we would have lost in the past, but we found a way to get a result.

“We didn’t really turn up, we certainly didn’t play well, we had a man sent off yet and we came away with the win.

“It keeps us quietly ticking over in mid-table and we’re all happy to be in that position after a couple of tough seasons for the club.

“I certainly can’t complain about our recent run. Only losing one game in 10 is an excellent effort at any level of football.”

Saints have won five times and drawn four matches during their pleasing spell which stretches back to September.