SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: PETE Tripp was again left cursing his players' lack of fighting spirit as Devizes were sent crashing to the foot of the Premier Division table by fellow strugglers Barnstaple.

The visitors offered little resistance as Barnstaple raced into a three-goal lead inside half an hour and are now eight points adrift of the safety line.

Midfielder Ben Hardman was also dismissed in the second half after collecting two yellow cards, but the damage had already been done.

Tripp knows a dramatic change in attitude is required if his men are to avoid a return for First Division football just three years after winning promotion.

He said: "I'm very disappointed with some of the players. We were 1-0 down inside five minutes and three down at half time. I could have cried.

"Barnstaple are a bad side, but you have to go there and compete with them. Professional pride alone should tell you to do that.

"To go all the way down there just to lay down and die is pointless. I think some of them have accepted they are down and I don't think they care. They are playing the season out."

Tripp believes mounting off-the-field troubles at Nursteed Road have been a factor in his side's poor recent displays.

He said: "I think the players are being affected by what they read. It isn't affecting me personally, but I am working with one arm tied behind my back because the players are affected.

"No-one could come in and generate any interest with this lot now. I'm not screaming and shouting at them in the dressing room and am trying to stay upbeat, but they are letting themselves down."

Youth team goalkeeper Daniel Appleton was handed a Devizes debut on Saturday and Tripp has warned some of his more experienced players that more youngsters will be blooded should results fail to improve.

Said Tripp: "Daniel came in and did very well. I couldn't fault him for any of the goals. He can be happy with his performance, but we didn't have much else out there.

"From a management point of view I have to look at next season. If we don't see any commitment then that means I have got to get 12 or 15 new players next year.

"I will be giving all of them jobs to do when they go on to the field and, if they don't do them, then I'll take it as read that they don't want to be at the club."

Devizes went into Saturday's crunch game five points behind their third from bottom hosts but were behind on five minutes when Kevin Squire calmly slotted home.

Strike partner Tom Marsh beat Appleton at the second attempt to double the lead four minutes later and unmarked Ross Middleton grabbed the third soon after sending a 25-yard volley over the bar.

Squire increased Barnstaple's lead two minutes after the restart, before forwards Owen Bryan and Justin Lisle both fired over from decent positions for the demoralised away side.

Barnstaple almost made it five when Squire's shot hit the crossbar and Marsh saw an effort hooked off the line by defender Andy Coombes.

To cap a miserable afternoon for Devizes, Hardman was dismissed in the closing stages when he earned a second caution for hauling down Middleton.

Manager Tripp knows victory at third from bottom Elmore is essential if his side are to stage a dramatic escape bid in the final month of the season.

He said: "Elmore are obviously struggling and I think they are a poor side. Team Bath put seven past them on Saturday.

"We have got to believe we can go there and get the three points. Mathematically we still have a chance and you never know what might happen in football. I certainly haven't given up."