VIDEO: Title-hopefuls Dunstable Town fight hard for St Ives Town win

Dunstable Town came from behind to grind out a 2-1 home victory over St Ives Town on Saturday and go four points clear at the top of Calor Southern League Division One Central.

Director of football John McLoughlin said: “It was another great result against a solid St Ives side.

“Our new Signing Terry Dixon made a tremendous debut and has given us even more strength as we enter the business end of our campaign.

“We showed great character after going a goal down, but we look great looking forward and I feel teams will need to be at their best to break us down.

“It was another great performance from Adam (Watkins) and he linked up well with Dixon.”

Even early exchanges saw Dunstable’s Tony Burnett go closest, but he found visiting keeper Barney McLaughlin in fine form.

With the game badly in need of a goal Saints took the lead seconds into the second half with a spectacular long-range strike from Jon Stead.

However, Dunstable were level within two minutes with a goal of similar quality, Leon Cashman netting following an Adam Watkins free-kick.

This spurred Dunstable on to greater efforts and they took the lead for the first time on 58 minutes following a corner.

The Saints’ defence beat out one effort, but failed to clear and Burnett snaffled the goal from close range.

Both sides looked to add to their tallies as 52-year-old St Ives substitute Warren Everdell’s cross almost brought an equaliser.

Dunstable’s defence held firm though as they saw out the extensive stoppage time to claim a deserved victory.

This Tuesday Blues host Leighton Town in a Bedfordshire derby and on Saturday visit Potters Bar Town.

Blues: Jamie Head, Danny Hutchins, Danny Murphy (Bernard Christie 64), Joseph Bruce, Danny Ryan, Moses Olaleye (C), Adam Watkins, Leon Cashman, Tony Burnett, Terry Dixon (Byron Bubb 76), Christopher Marsh. Substitutes not used: Ashton Grant, Taishan Griffith, Tony Fontanelle.

Saints: Barney McLaughlin, Stuart Cobb, Nathan Horne, Dan Newman, Will Fordham, Jason King, David Cobb, Lee Ellison (C), Karl Gibbs, Jon Stead, Dan Bannister. Substitutes used: Max Roberts, Warren Everdell. Substitutes not used: Avelino Viera, Mike Bennion.

Star Blue: Joseph Bruce.

Attendance: 146.