Just when they thought their injury woes were almost over, St Ives Town have been hit by the loss of midfielder Jon Stead to a pulled hamstring.

Stead scored twice in the Saints’ 3-3 draw at Aylesbury United on Saturday but limped from the pitch after smashing his second goal into the roof of the net just minutes into the second half. But joint manager Jez Hall is hoping the 25-year-old will only be out for four-to-six weeks.

“He has been in great form,” said Hall. “In our new way of playing he has had a free role and he has had three man of the matches. He was unbelievable on Saturday before going off.”

Still, the loss of Stead didn’t hamper their form at Chertsey Town on Tuesday night. They won 4-0 with Jason King scoring twice and Lee Ellison and Tom Meecham

chipping in. It was a great result.

Against Aylesbuty United, Stead was instrumental in setting up Avelino Vieira’s 18-yard opener on 18 minutes, when he linked up well with Ellison, and Stead made it 2-0 four minutes later with a fine turn-and-volley.

But the Ducks came back into the game when Liam Smyth scored with a slight deflection off Jason King.

It was 3-2 a minute into the second half but Stead scored his ill-fated second and full back Nathan Horne had two chances before Paul Edgeworth made it 3-3.

The draw came just days after the team’s excellent 3-0 midweek win at home to Leighton Town in which Vieira scored again, with on-loan Histon striker Matty Walters adding another to an own goal. The form of Vieria, and the much-diminished threat of the relegation zone, means Hall and his co-manager Warren Everdell say they will not “bother” to pursue another striker.

Before heading to Chertsey Town – the club’s longest trip of the season – Hall said: “Five points and nine goals in three games is pleasing. We are three unbeaten now so I don’t think we will bother with a new striker.”

On Saturday, St Ives are at home to Northwood.