Appleby FC came back from a month's lay-off with a 1-0 home win over Staveley United in the first division of the Talbot Insurance Westmorland League on Saturday.

Manager Jock Nugent selected his youngest side of the season and they stuck to the task well to take all three points. Staveley were reduced to ten men when Ben Daniels was sent off for violent conduct, but the visitors' keeper, Tim Wood, kept them in the match, twice denying Paul Moffet, while Neil Deans was put clean through but failed to find the target.

There was a wake-up call for Appleby when Brendan O'Sullivan headed against the bar for Staveley just before half-time.

Nugent's side had the better second-half chances but Wood was in inspired form and made a double save from shots by John Coward and Steve Wharton.

It was the turn of Appleby keeper Paul Crawford to make a vital stop when O'Sullivan got through one-on-one, and the ball went straight back upfield from his throw-out. On the wing, David Nugent showed pace to get behind the defence and cross for Coward to supply the winning goal with a left-foot shot into the corner.

Carvetii United went down 3-1 at Dent in the second division, while Appleby Reserves suffered a 5-3 defeat at Coniston Reserves in the third division.

Results - Division 1: Appleby 1, Staveley United 0; Carleton Rovers 1, Penrith Reserves 0; Kendal County 1, Wetheriggs United 0; Keswick 2, Kendal Town Reserves 1; Victoria SC 0, Windermere SC 0.