The half-time introduction of Sam Dibling proved to be the key to what was eventually a 5-2 win for Axminster Town in their South West Peninsula League Eastern Division home game against Newton Abbot Spurs.

The Tigers trailed 1-0 at the break, but during the interval joint managers Josh Stunell and Jonny Hurford changed things round a little and introduced Dibling to play alongside Hurford in the centre of midfield.

Within five minutes of the restart Tony Pinder levelled things up before Hurford sent a precision-struck free-kick into the back of the visitors net.

Once ahead the Tigers took charge and scored three more with Pinder netting twice to become the first Town player to score a hat-trick this season. Aaron Daniels also netted and even a late second for the visitors could not dampen post match enthusiasm at Tiger Way.

Joint boss Josh Stunell said: “We were far too sluggish in the first half and it was one of those situations when you hope no further damage will be done to the one goal you ship so you can get then lads in at the break and tweak things.

“That’s what happened and there was no half-time ranting and raving, quite the opposite as Jonny and I reminded the players that they have quality in the ranks and just needed to collectively step up.

“Sam [Dibling] changed things dramatically, he was central to what were 25 excellent minutes from the restart. We dropped off again late on to concede a second, but we’ll settle for 5-2 and three more points.”

On Saturday (September 1), the Tigers are once again in home action when their 100 per cent home start to the new campaign will certainly be put to the test for the visitors are an Elmore side that is one of two teams in the division to sport a perfect played four, won four record.

Stunell says of the game: “We always felt that if we could get off to a decent start, and two wins, a draw and a defeat from the first four games represents that I feel, then this early September meeting with Elmore would be a good gauge as to where we are with the squad and how we match up against a side that will be expecting to be close, if not top, when the season ends.”

There are no injury problems for the Tigers, who will also welcome back into the squad Nathan Antat, who missed the Newton Abbot Spurs win as he was on holiday.