DEVIZES ended their seven-match losing streak in style with a morale boosting victory against nine-man Torrington.

The visitors have been in and around the top four all season while Devizes have been struggling at the wrong end of the table. Simon Drewitt fired the home side into a first half lead before Torrington's influential Lee Langmead was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.

Lloyd Sartin made it 2-0 in the second half and the visitors were reduced to nine men close to the end when Michael Heddon picked up a second booking. Sartin then wrapped up the win with his second of the match.

Manager Dave Hopkins admitted he was a very relieved man at the final whistle. "It was a big, big relief because I was feeling slightly under pressure," he said. "It was not a case of me getting the sack because that's not going to happen.

"But I'm a local lad and it's been hard watching us play those seven games knowing in only one we've not been good enough to get at least a draw. I know that we are good enough if we keep our discipline and shape. About 90 per cent of wins come through hard work and determination in this division."

Devizes were forced to make a number of changes following Steve Campbell's departure to Yate and the unavailability of Kevin Bush, Dave Lloyd, Nick Mooney and Gary Campbell.

"The encouraging thing is we've gone on from Melksham result," Hopkins added. "Going into the game we thought any sort of result would be good having lost seven on the bounce.

"But we still played good football and got a good result. We would still have won irrespective of the sending offs. I was very happy with Sheridan, Perkins and Lloyd Sartin while Brad Newman was superb."

Devizes started the game quietly and Lee Langmead had a goal disallowed early on. But the home side upped the pace and took the lead when Simon Drewitt got on the end of a Brad Newman cross.

Langmead was then given his marching orders for violent conduct following an incident that typified a nasty game littered with off the ball elbows and kicks.

Devizes similarly started second half slowly but again came into their own and Hopkins had a header cleared off the line. Lloyd Sartin then got on the end of a good ball from Nathan Perkins to make it 2-0 on 57 minutes.

Devizes kept things tight at the back and Torrington blew their chances of getting back into the game when Michael Heddon got his second yellow card for a bad challenge on Steve Bush.

Shortly after Lloyd Sartin added his second and Devizes' third following good work from Justin Lisle and Nathan Sheridan.

On Saturday Devizes travel to Backwell United looking to avenge a 2-0 home defeat earlier in the season.

Hopkins added: "That game again saw us create eight or nine good chances but we didn't put them away. They've got two good lads up front but we've ended our run now and it's nice to say we are undefeated this year."

Hopkins' moves for Westbury striker Jerad O'Pray and Frome defender Paul Thorpe have both come to nothing. But he has tied up a month-long loan deal for Chippenham Town striker Justin Porter.

Kevin Bush, Dave Lloyd, Nick Mooney and Gary Campbell will all be in contention to return on Saturday as well.