Duchy Premier Gunnislake 2 St Stephens Borough 4 GUNNISLAKE again had a depleted squad with managers Tim May and Mark Vernon left with only ten fit and two unfit players, one being 47-year-old Vernon himself, so as to allow their reserve team to travel to North Hill with 12 players. While Gunnislake have coped well of late with six first team players missing to record a six-match unbeaten run, the visit of table toppers St Stephens Borough with ten wins from as many matches proved too much. The visitors established a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes by which time Gunnislake had been forced to replace their one unfit player who started with their other injured player, was the team?s only substitute. Gunnislake showed spirit that typifies Southcott?s attitude and did anything but to reduce the arrears on 35 minutes through Jarryd Kelly following a John Fryer pass and they might have levelled matters by the turnaround. The opening 20 minutes of the second period were equal but Saints struck their third. Still the hosts would not give up and Fryer, Kelly and Vernon were all involved in a move that saw Kelly strike home from the edge of the penalty area. With 15 minutes left Saints profited from good fortune when a totally miss-hit shot fell perfectly for one of their players to poke home from close range. Gunnislake kept going forward but no further goals saw Saints continue their 100% winning run. l Gunnislake?s reserve team travelled to North Hill and were as under strength as their Premier side compatriots. But they battled on and ground out a vital 1-0 win. Darren Sambells scored for a second consecutive week. Gunnislake defended manfully which has been their strength this season as indicated by having only conceded eight goals in their ten league matches. The reserves remain top of division 4. Gunnislake?s management team of May, Vernon and Garf Ewing are hoping to have greater numbers to select from this Saturday as the premier side visit Dobwalls and the reserves travel to play Dynamo St Dennis. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.