UCL Premier Division --- Daventry Town 3-0 St Ives Town --- INJURY-ravaged St Ives put up a brave display against champions-elect Daventry Town before their chances were scuppered by the sending-off of goalkeeper Gavin Armitage. With Saints 1-0 down aft

UCL Premier Division ---

Daventry Town 3-0 St Ives Town ---

INJURY-ravaged St Ives put up a brave display against champions-elect Daventry Town before their chances were scuppered by the sending-off of goalkeeper Gavin Armitage.

With Saints 1-0 down after an hour, the keeper saw red when he fouled a Daventry forward who looked to have controlled the ball with his arm. The referee disagreed and added insult to injury by dismissing Armitage and awarding the penalty.

Centre-back Dan Newman had to pull on the goalkeeper's jersey, and though he saved the spot kick, he could not repel Daventry all afternoon.

Daventry laboured against Ives in the first half, and it took until the 46th minute for Adam Confue to give them the lead.

Newman produced a number of good saves as Ives fought to stay in the match, with both Ricky Dear and Ossie Foster going close to restoring parity.

Ives continued to stifle the home attack until eight minutes from time, but with the clock ticking down Russ Dunkley grabbed the chance to kill the match and a third goal two minutes from time by Ryan Howell put the final nail in the coffin.

Ives co-manager Jez Hall said: "We were exceptional in the first 45 minutes and they had not looked likely to break us down. They got the rub of the green at the start of the second half and the sending off and penalty was controversial."

Ives have now failed to win a league game since early December, but with many of the injured approaching fitness Hall will be hoping for success in Ives' next three home games.

Saints host Yaxley on Thursday and Bourne Town on Saturday.