An unexpected error from captain Michael Richens 18 minutes from time ensured St Ives Town would leave empty-handed despite an impressive goalkeeping display. 

Richens played an underhit back pass from the halfway line towards ‘keeper James Goff, giving substitute Gregg Smith to slot home for Basford United in their 1-0 win on March 4. 

Goff had earlier impressed with a series of vital saves to keep the hosts at bay, topped off by a penalty stop 13 minutes before half-time when he dived low to push away Matt Thornhill’s effort. 

Ives had their chances to win this Southern League Premier Division Central contest, the best of those falling to Jonny Edwards but he missed a free header from six yards out. 

Goff then saved the blushes of Jordan Williams who conceded the aforementioned penalty after fouling Tyreace Palmer on 32 minutes. 

The ‘keeper then kept out efforts from Revarnelle James, Kevin Da Silva Bastos, Palmer and Thornhill in a period of early second half pressure from Basford. 

And it looked like the Ives had weathered that period and beginning to enjoy some possession when they gifted Smith the opener. 

Ives fought back and applied pressure on the Lions in the closing stages, although Edwards and Enoch Andoh, who also went close, failed to test goalkeeper Kieran Preston. 

But it was the home side who leapfrogged Ricky Marheineke’s team in the league table. 

However, the visitors will feel they should have earned some reward from this fixture. 

St Ives, who are on a run of six games without a win, aim to steer away from relegation trouble at Stourbridge on March 11, 3pm. 

St Ives Town: Goff, Casey, Herd, Richens (C), J. Williams, Toseland, Andoh, Cowling (sub Higgs, 51’), Edwards, Hickinson (sub Shariff, 67’), Baker.  

Unused subs: Johnston, Kaziboni.