PORTHLEVEN maintained their recent run of good form in the Jolly's Combination League with a well-deserved 4-1 win away to St Ives Town.

It was a workmanlike performance by the visitors who had to compete with a physical home side as well as having to contend with Darren Holsey being sent off for retaliation in the second half.

The Fishermen carved open several early chances with Dean Bray heading just wide following good work by Lee Gribble and Paolo Lopez and Daniel Stidwell thumping a shot into the sidenetting.

A goal wasn't long in coming and after 11 minutes Porthleven took the lead when a great through ball by David Phillips put Stidwell clear and he cut inside past a defender before shooting past the advancing Steve Burrows.

Lopez volleyed into the 'keeper's arms after Stidwell had cut the ball back and then Lopez, who appeared to be involved in all Port's moves, ran on to a Phillips pass and saw the 'keeper pull off a superb save by tipping the ball over the bar from a well-struck shot.

Three minutes before the break the home side drew level when a long ball over the top by Steve McMechan, stuck in the heavy surface as goalkeeper John Sullivan came out to clear. Andrew Perkin seized his opportunity to score with the 'keeper stranded.

When it looked as if the sides would be all square at half-time, Porthleven regained the lead when Phillips hit a deep cross for Lopez to control the ball with his chest before slamming the ball into the roof of the net.

Two minutes into the second half Stidwell cut inside and shot wide with just Burrows to beat and then Matt Gendall provided a cross for Dean Bray to head over from close range.

Port were reduced to ten men in the 65th minute when Holsey was sent off for retaliation, but apart from Andre Otto rattling the woodwork with a shot, Town's numerical advantage was never in evidence.

Ten minutes from time Porthleven snapped up a third goal when Gendall threaded the ball inside the defenders for Stidwell to cut through the defence and hit an unstoppable shot past Burrows.

Three minutes later the Fishermen made sure of the points when they scored a fourth goal. Gribble was put clear by Andy Mills and after getting into the box pulled the ball back for Stidwell to sidefoot the ball into the net to complete his first senior hat-trick for the club.

Just before the final whistle goalkeeper John Sullivan was rendered unconscious after he was involved in a collision and had to be admitted to hospital for checks to be carried out.

Phillips held the fort until the final whistle for the Fishermen.

Manager Gary Pascoe was pleased with his side's performance: "It wasn't an easy surface to play on, but I thought the side acquitted themselves well in difficult conditions.

"Stidwell and Lopez were excellent up front and Phillips and Craig Bray also had great games.

"We showed great determination and commitment and on the day certainlydeserved the win."