Seaton Town gave their Macron Devon and Exeter League top flight survival bid a huge boost when they won their Bank Holiday Monday home game with Feniton 5-1.

Pete Knox (2), Seth Wakely (2) and player-manager Josh French scored the goals with Knox netting the only goal of the first half before Town deservedly claimed the points with their four second half efforts.

The win came hot on the heels of Saturday’s 7-0 mauling at Witheridge and last midweek’s disappointing 3-2 reversal at Exmouth Town Reserves.

Both those defeats did not come as a surprise to player-boss French who said: “We were down to bare squad bones for the last two games and it showed, sadly, as we got well beaten at Witheridge. However, it was a brace effort the lads who did play, though it was tough even fielding eleven – we had nine the night before the game!”

However, for the game with Feniton, French had the luxury of a new fully available squad with the only absence being that of the holidaying Charlie Ledger.

French said: “Our team performance against Feniton underlines what we are capable of and if only we had been able to play our regular first choice over the bulk of the season I am convinced we’d be finishing in a top six berth, not scrapping for our lives trying to stay in the division.”

As for the performance against Feniton, French was quick to single out players. He said: “Lewis Cottam was outstanding in the role of holding midfielder and he managed to shackle the always impressive Ben Allen I their [Feniton] side. James Hill worked his wing tirelessly and the back three of skipper Mark Perham, Ricky Little and Will House, all put in huge shifts.”

The win has left Town’s task a little less difficult, though they do still need to win two of their last three games – home to Beer this Friday – at home to Okehampton on May 19 and the home to Topsham Town on May 21 – to ensure they do not finish rock bottom.

French says: “The win over Feniton has given us a great chance and I am confident – albeit quietly – that we can get the two wins we need.”

Town are at home to Beer Albion on Friday (May 11) with the game kicking off at 6.45pm at Colyford Road and, with everyone available from the Fenny win, Town are further boosted with the return from holiday of Charlie Ledger.