St George Saints threw away at least 3 clear chances early in the game and rued them later, as Spirit FC ran out 2-0 winners at Christie Park this afternoon.

The Saints went in to this game in 4th place with a game in hand over 7th placed Spirit - but a win for the home side could jump them over, if only temporarily, and with such an open competition this game was crucial.

Certainly the Saints, with the 'Christie slope' in their aid, took the game to the home side. In the 3rd minute new signing from Dandaloo, Christian Cevinini, received the ball free just outside the area but he turned and lobbed local custodian Murray Nelson, and the crossbar.

Four minutes later Ben Gough got up on the right at the other end but his cross over the goalmouth was easily cleared.

Scott Wright took a shot from the left in the 9th minute from 20m but Saints 'keeper Daniel Nash punched clear.

A great chance again to Saints when in the 13th minute marksman Ivo De Jesus skewed from the right side of the area, wide.

Saints had the better of possession. In the 28th minute Hussein Rachid received a flick in the box but lobbed the crossbar. Nine minutes later, just after Evan Daglis had a half chance for Spirit Cevenini again was the culprit when he was slow to control a ball in the area and hit it well over.

Just before the break Leo Pananicolaou went wide for a change, got free from his man and got a cross into Ben Gough in the area. Gough turned his two markers and hit it into thr top corner giving Nash no chance. 1-0

After the break the play was more even but there was little to report in the way of chances, and play became marred by stoppages with some for yellow cards. Excitement when Saints Arthur Diles curled a free-kick just over the crossbar.

In the 77th minute Papanicolaou had a snap shot on the half-volley but it went wide on the right.

The final nail in the coffin came as the time ran out, with Papanicolaou cutting in between Nash and his defender, and the wily striker steered the ball at an acute angle from the left, and into the goal. 2-0

Two wins on the trot for Spirit after some shaky times will give them heart, and Saints will review what went wrong in order to spark a resurgence.

Under 20: Spirit FC 1 - St George 1