Toolstation Western League

Town put in valiant shift but fail to end 11-game run of defeats.

BARNSTAPLE Town were unlucky not to have come away from third-placed Cadbury Heath with any reward on Saturday.

Barum remain nine points adrift at the foot of the table following a 3-1 loss at Springfield.

The visitors belied their status as relegation fodder with a gutsy performance on a heavy pitch but failed to end a painful 11-game run of defeats.

Luke Evans hit the post with a header after only three minutes but Barnstaple were unable to capitalise on a bright start.

They missed the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after 17 minutes when Matt Rickard was tripped in the box by Heath goalkeeper Simon Crawford.

Crawford was shown the yellow card and atoned for the foul by saving Rickard’s spot kick.

Jed Harper-Penman forced a good save from Crawford before the hosts took a 27th minute lead though Matt Huxley.

Rickard equalised for Town before the break who continued to take the game to their opponents after the re-start, Evans foiled twice by Crawford in the space of three minutes.

Barum had a goal disallowed for an infringement but a triple substitution swung the game in Heath’s favour, Mark Reynolds making it 2-1 on 77 minutes and then Sam Duggan putting the boot in with the third with five minutes to play.

Barnstaple travel to Radstock Town on Saturday.