Joshua Tomlinson gave the Saints an early lead, however, a superb Cocks brace and solo goal from Liam Loughlan gave the Blues an advantage at half-time.

However, it was a second half to forget for United, as Myles Cowling and Jonathan Edwards both netted for St Ives to ensure the points were shared on Saturday afternoon.

Brad Munn opted to make just two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with league leaders Needham Market last weekend – Jamie Hanson returned in defence ahead of Luke Martin, and Tom Hewlett made his first start for the Blues since re-signing on loan from Burton Albion.

The Blues began on the front foot in the opening moments, as Joe Nyahwema and Loughlan pressurised the St Ives defence into mistakes – however, the only real chance fell in the 10th minute when Sam Bentley watched Nyahwema’s close-range strike fly past the post.

However, slightly against the run of play, it was Tomlinson that knocked the Blues back a step early on, as he capitalised on a defensive error with a deft header past Ross Durrant from close to give the Saints the lead.

United did nonetheless respond just two minutes later when Cocks produced an incredible diving header to divert Joe Nyahwema’s cross into the bottom right corner and level the scoreline.

Cocks, brimming in confidence, then attempted to strike a free kick from 25 yards out towards the top right corner of the goal - which he did in ridiculous dipping fashion to secure his second of the afternoon.

Theo Alexandrou had an opportunity to equalise for the visitors in the 38th minute, after Aaron Smith’s long throw could not be dealt with by the Blues’ defence and the midfielder was able to strike a half-volley from close, albeit just past the post.

With less than five minutes left of the first half, Loughlan’s constant press eventually came to fruition as he beat the Saints’ shot-stopper to the ball on the edge of the box and was simply able to tap the ball into the empty net to secure his first goal in a United shirt.

As the first half came to an end and the second began, a switch in momentum was evident, as the Saints seemed eager to right a poor first half – their first chance came through Michael Richens who arrowed a half volley from just inside the box inches past the post.

In-form Cocks came close to audaciously securing a hat-trick in the 48th minute, as the full-back thumped a free kick towards goal from the half-way line, looking to catch Bentley off his line, although the back peddling Saints’ shot-stopper caught the shot on the line to deny Cocks.

With just over 25 minutes left to play, Cocks switched from goal-scoring to clinical defending – the full-back had to stay alert to clear Alexandrou’s cross-shot off the line with a backwards header.

Although, in the 70th minute, St Ives did eventually net the second goal that they were looking for. Loitering on the edge of the box, Cowling recovered the ball and drove a low strike into the bottom left corner of Durrant’s goal.

It was then just over 10 minutes later in the afternoon when Edwards flung a leg up to divert Alexandrou’s by-line cross from close to once again level the scoreline at the home of the Blues.

Nyahwema came close for the Blues in the dying moments of the match with a whipped strike towards goal, however, United had to back peddle quickly to defend the St Ives counterattack.

After knocking the ball past the chasing Blues defence, Alexandrou picked out Edwards in acres of space inside the box, and the forward thumped a strike from 10 yards out that looked guaranteed to nestle in the back of the net, if not for Cocks’ heroics to throw his body in the way on the line to ensure the points were shared.