DEVIZES battled their way to three vital points against Screwfix high flyers Exmouth days after manager Mark Godley held a crisis meeting with his players.

Godley spoke at length with his team at training on Thursday and laid down his expectations for the remainder of the season.

The boss praised his players after they responded superbly with an outstanding performance on Saturday.

An early goal from RAF pilot Brian Kayll, who started his first game after three months of being away on duty, was enough to tame Exmouth as a fine display of defending ensured the hosts kept their fifth clean sheet of the season.

Godley told his players it was vital that Devizes keep their Premier Division status and warned they will not survive unless performances improve.

He said: "I got them together and I spelled out to them my expectations. To be fair to the players they responded fantastically.

"Exmouth are fifth in the table and we restricted them to a hatful of long range efforts, I am delighted with the players.

"It was well deserved but we really needed it as we are in the thick of a massive dogfight."

The manager said that he now has a harder task of making sure the team maintains the high standards for the last seven matches.

He starts the mission on Saturday when Keynsham visit Nursteed Road. He is hoping that strikers David Lloyd (chest infection) and Jon Scott (groin) will be back.

He added: "Our situation was helped by a great result but we still need more points as it is far from over.

"Keynsham had a good result on Saturday and will come to us with confidence. But we have to be ready for them.

"I wish our situation was rosy, but it's not and I have told the players they have to make one final push."

The home side looked pumped up for the match and midfielder Nathan Perkins managed to win possession from the kick off with a lightning quick tackle.

From there Devizes held the ball and built up their first attack that resulted in a corner.

Perkins took the set piece and sent it flying into the Exmouth area. The ball pinged around the box with the visitors failing to clear.

It then fell to striker Dave Macey who squared it for Kayll to side foot home from inside the six-yard box.

Godley said: "Nathan Perkins and defender Lee Beavis were outstanding for us.

"Nathan's great challenge in the first minute set the tone for the rest of the game."

Devizes keeper Andy King had very little to do for most of the match as centre backs Beavis and Andy Coombes were in fine form.

In the second half Exmouth did manage to hit the target from long range but the attempts on goal did not trouble the keeper.

The guests pressed for an equaliser towards the end and Godley admitted he would have had an easier last ten minutes if striker Simon Price's header had not flashed the wrong side of the post.

But he stressed to his players after the game they are far from safe.

"We have to keep achieving this high level. I questioned their past performances and they answered those questions.

"I am angry that we are in this position because we shouldn't be.

"I have a lot of faith in my players, a lot of the them have been here before so their experience will help us."

n PREMIER rivals Melksham entertain Odd Down on Saturday at the Conigre after Monday's clash with Bridgwater was postponed.