HAY St Mary's maintained their position at the summit of the MMP with Norman Lloyd Central Wales League (South) with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Machynlleth at Forest Road.

The fiery encounter led to referee Chris Corfield brandishing three red cards during the opening 45 minutes.

St Mary’s striker Matty Tong put the home team ahead after 26 minutes when he ran onto a Rob Snedden through ball and his initial effort was saved by the advancing Thomas Jenkins but the striker was alert enough to tuck home the rebound.

Jack Cripps came close to doubling the lead for Hay St Mary's in the 32nd minute when he raced through on goal but his chip over Jenkins clipped the top of the crossbar.

The first major incident of the match occurred three minutes later when Tong was shown a red card following his reaction to a challenge by Luke Holt and the visiting defender was also dismissed for his part in the episode.

The Cae Glas men were reduced to nine men when Dillon Browne was dismissed two minutes before the half-time whistle for an altercation with Frazer Mcanally.

The Saints took advantage of the extra player and doubled their tally nine minutes into the second half.

Snedden's deflected cross from out on the left flank was met by substitute Will Goodwin with a diving header at the far post.

Fellow substitute Adi Lawford almost put the hosts out of sight after he was played through on goal but saw his shot come back off the far post.

However, new signing Jordan Harvey added a third goal for Hay St Mary's in the 80th minute when he spotted goalkeeper Jenkins out of his penalty area and lifted the ball into an empty net from nearly 30 yards out.

Despite conceding that goal, Machynlleth continued to press in the closing stages and got their reward with a consolation goal.