SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: DEVIZES produced one of their most assured performances of the season to leapfrog Bridport in the table.

A third minute own goal eased any jitters they may have had and a second goal just before the break from on-loan Justin Porter gave them some breathing space.

Bridport refused to give up and threatened on a few occasions but Devizes could have added to their tally and deserved the three points.

Manager Dave Hopkins said: "We were nice and solid at the back and having Kev Bush back was a big bonus.

"Justin Porter came in after being ineligible on Tuesday and had a great game and a great finish.

"The early own goal was a bonus and we created quite a few chances and in the first half could have been 4-0 up.

"But the encouraging thing was that we were very professional in the second half.

"We defended nicely, had nice tight shape, created good chances and if we continue to play like that we'll not have any problems this year."

Bridport had outplayed Devizes to win the reverse fixture 3-0 but this time it was Hopkins' team who took the match by the scruff of the neck.

In the third minute the player-manager drilled a free-kick from halfway deep into the Bridport area and David Newlands headed the ball past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Justin Porter.

A Nathan Perkins free-kick then deflected to Dean Gilewicz at the far post but he sliced a tricky volley wide.

Bridport slowly worked their way into the game and Mike Greeno blazed a half chance over the crossbar.

Porter had a header from an excellent Brad Newman cross saved while Bridport's Gary McAuley wasted a chance when he put a free-header wide from Greeno's set piece.

Porter thought he had put Devizes 2-0 up on 34 minutes but his point-blank header from Marcus Wallen's cross was denied by a reflex save from Martin Peters.

But the loan striker from Chippenham Town did not have long to wait for his first Devizes goal.

In the 39th minute Nathan Perkins burst up field in a quick counter attack and slipped Porter through on the left of the area and he confidently slotted the ball into the far corner.

The second half was evenly matched but Devizes worked hard to hold onto their lead.

Danny Wilson when clean through for Bridport on 63 minutes but shot tamely wide while Porter played in Wallen who hit the foot of the post.

Minutes later Gilewicz threaded Wallen through again and he touched the ball past the goalkeeper but James Thompson cleared the goal-bound effort.

Hare was slow to close down Wilson late on but he made amends with a good save and Devizes held out until the final whistle.

In a tight division Hopkins' side are now fifth from bottom and are only four points behind ninth-placed Frome Town.

But they have a big task on their hands this Saturday when they travel to top of the table Bideford who have lost just once all season.

Hopkins will wait to see whether midfielder Dean Gilewicz is available this weekend. The Swindon Supermarine player was signed last Saturday morning to cover Devizes' shortage of bodies.

But Hopkins is hoping to persuade him to continue playing for the Screwfix side when he is not needed at Hunts Copse.