ST IVES unbeaten league run came crashing to an end when they were beaten by Newport Pagnell at Westwood Road yesterday (Tuesday). The two promotion chasing clubs were both eager for the points, with the pressure on St Ives knowing they had to make the m

ST IVES unbeaten league run came crashing to an end when they were beaten by Newport Pagnell at Westwood Road yesterday (Tuesday).

The two promotion chasing clubs were both eager for the points, with the pressure on St Ives knowing they had to make the most of their six games in hand to be in with a chance of promotion.

The hosts started cautiously and were punished after just 11 minutes when Vincent Shrieves found space and curled a left-footed shot into the top corner to leave Saints keeper Robin MacKney helpless. Darren Lynch almost put the visitors two ahead when his volley clipped the bar as the first half ended 1-0.

The hosts improved after the break and as they pushed forward Carl Foreman was felled inside the area. He stepped up for the penalty but fired wide as Ives kept pushing for an equaliser.

The away side did take their chances and Darren Lynch beat the offside trap to round MacKney and double Newport's advantage. Despite the game looking over with minutes to go, Saints substitute Liam Kennett sent a fantastic 25 yard strike crashing into the net to give them hope, but it turned into little more than a consolation.

St Ives co-manager Jez Hall said "We had a poor first half and never seemed to get going at all. We were better in the second half but we should have scored the penalty and made the most of the chances we had.

"They have got a bit about them and maybe that is what we need to win games like this. Saturday will be a big game for us but we will have Scott [Fielding] and Junior [McDougald] back in the squad but it looks like we have picked up a couple of injuries tonight that may not help us."

Ives next face league leaders Deeping Rangers at Westwood Road on Saturday. Ives sit 14 points behind them but with six games in hand they could move top of the league if they make the most of those games.