MANAGER Mark Carter was full of praise for St Blazey as they battled hard for a point in a game which saw red cards for both sides at Blaise Park on Saturday.

Sam Clifton gave the Green and Blacks the perfect start with his first goal of the season after only five minutes and they held the lead until the 72nd minute when Kitan Jaiyeoba equalised.

Paulton were reduced to 10 men just before the break when Dean Griffiths saw red for an off the ball incident, but Blazey’s numerical advantage lasted only 15 minutes as Rio Daly collected two yellow cards in three minutes near the hour mark.

Skipper Charlie Hambly thought he had snatched a dramatic winner deep into injury-time, but Paulton keeper Alfie Kelsey made a superb save to deny him.

Blazey boss Carter said: “It was a much better display from the lads as we showed far more passion, commitment, and a higher work-rate throughout.

“I told the group that it’s time to move on from just being competitive—we need to start being competitive and taking something from games. That’s exactly what they did.

“Paulton are a good, physical side, but in the first half we were by far the better team. My only complaint is that we went into the break just one goal ahead.

“With only two recognised defenders in the squad, I thought we coped with their attacking threat very well.

“As the game went on, Paulton began to get on top, but we showed real character and determination to come away with a well-deserved point.”

ST BLAZEY: Kyle Moore; Noah Maund, Tom Hensman, Charlie Hambly (capt), Jordan Bentley, Tom Strike, Rio Daly, Sam Clifton, Charlie Menear, Tyler Elliott, Teigan Rosenquest. Subs: Callum McGhee, Harley Collier, Mac Dewsnip (gk).