UCL Premier Division St Ives Town 2 Long Buckby 1 A FINE comeback from St Ives earned them their fourth consecutive win to keep them third in the UCL. A defensive howler let the big-spending visitors take the lead on the half-hour but Graeme Thackray hit

UCL Premier Division

St Ives Town 2 Long Buckby 1

A FINE comeback from St Ives earned them their fourth consecutive win to keep them third in the UCL.

A defensive howler let the big-spending visitors take the lead on the half-hour but Graeme Thackray hit the equaliser five minutes later and Barry Albone sealed the win in the second half.

Joint manager Jez Hall praised his side's resilience and performance level as their excellent run of one defeat in nine games continued.

Long Buckby's opener was out of the Keystone Cops school of defending. A Liam Kennett free-kick was booted upfield by the visitors.

St Ives defender Dan Newman, concentrating on the ball, nodded the ball over the head of goalkeeper Rob Mackney, who turned it on to the crossbar.

The ball then dropped at the feet of Ben Foster who tapped in an easy goal.

Saints soon found themselves back on level terms when Thackray was quickest to follow-up after Jamie Blackwell's shot was saved.

The home side took the lead on the hour mark when Albone arrived late in the box to meet a cross and score for the fourth game running.

Buckby tried to press for the equaliser but good handling from goalkeeper Mackney meant their were no late scares as the home side held on.

Hall said he believes the Premier Division is the most open it has been for some years with a number of clubs in with a shot at the title - and promotion.

"It is still early days for us yet but if we can put together a better run through November and December than we have in previous years, we could be looking at a top-three finish," he said.

* Saints were due to travel to struggling Kempston Rovers as The Hunts Post went to press and face a tough trip to fellow high-fliers Boston Town on Saturday.