KNOWLE 2 LUFFS 1 (3/5/03) THE LUFFS went down to the league leaders on Saturday, but not without a creditable fight and by the end of 90 minutes might well have come away with a point. Knowle declared their intent early on, Bishop was yellow carded in the first minute and Oliver went clear on the Loughborough keeper Springhtorpe only to plant his shot right into his hands. Loughborough were given a severe test of their defensive abilities but they held out well with Springthorpe saving shots from Cox and Bishop. Oliver found the side netting for Knowle and it was late in the first half before Loughborough got a look in at the other end. Locker had a chance at the back post and Richardson grazed the upright but it remained goaless at half time. The second half wasn't short of events, Clarke went straight down the middle from the kick off and put Knowle ahead, after such a commendable defensive performance throughout the first half just one lapse in the second was so costly. Loughborough recovered well from this early second half setback and Watkiss' shot just wide before Tebbutt was caught in possession and Edmunds made it 2-0 to the home side. From then on the Luffs were chasing the game and they chased it well enough to have earnt a point in that last half an hour. Dutfield had a shot saved for Loughborough and Richardson hit the post as the game swung in their favour. Referee Cann limped off with an injury and the fourth official Cheesman took over - it was the most eventful part of this game. Richardson burst through the centre of the Knowle defence and when his shot was blocked Stevenson whacked it into the roof of the net and there was definitely a game on. For the final ten minutes Loughborough forced this high flying Knowle side back into their own half and had them resorting to long clearances out of defence and over the stand but they held out till the end and 2-1 it was. TEAM:   SCORERS:  Ian STEVENSON ATT: N/A HT: 0-0