SUPERMARINE'S place in the Dr Martens League is hanging by a thread after an agonising defeat at the hands of neighbours Cirencester.

Marine boss Ray Baverstock saw his toothless side crumble to a 3-0 loss against his former club and promptly dubbed the display the worst he had seen since taking the reins at Hunts Copse.

"It was a very poor performance irrespective of who we were playing," said Baverstock.

"It was a derby match but you would never of guessed because we just didn't put up a fight. I was amazed at the lack of passion, It was the worst I've seen since I've been here.

"The club are trying hard to stay in this league but the players showed absolutely no commitment. It was diabolical and after that performance some of their days might be numbered."

Home side Marine contested the first-half well enough, though as a spectacle it was dire.

Niggly fouls, aimless long balls and very little attacking threat from either side meant an inevitable stalemate at the break.

Keith Knight came closest to breaking the deadlock but his 30-yard free-kick was comfortably held by keeper Elliot Jackson.

At the other end, Giles Harris' dipping volley from the edge of the box was tipped over by Mark Hervin and Shaun Terry failed to covert Dave Gee's useful cross.

Terry wasted Marine's best chance two minutes after the restart.

Dave Slattery escaped the attentions of the Centurions' defence and teed up Terry who miscued from close range.

Marine would rue the miss as Ciren hit back with the opening goal 90 seconds later.

Another 30-yard free-kick from Knight was knocked down by Gareth Hopkins and defender Andy Minturn was on hand to volley home in emphatic style from 12 yards.

The visitors doubled their lead on 65 minutes when James Hughes sent Mike Davis clear and the midfielder was hauled down in the area by Marine skipper Mark Saunders.

Set-piece specialist Knight stepped up to crash home the spot-kick and leave his former employers floundering.

The contest was all over with 15 minutes remaining as Andy McCabe flicked Knight's pass into the path of Ben Fitch who struck first time from 12 yards.

Marine pushed forward in the closing stages but their lack of spirit was matched by their lack of creativity and Hervin was a virtual spectator as the home fans watched their side slide to a miserable derby defeat.

While Baverstock was smarting at the manner of the defeat, his opposite number Brian Hughes was delighted with a convincing, if unspectacular, derby showing.

"It wasn't pretty it was never going to be but it was a job well done and I'm delighted with the result." said Hughes.

"That's two good performances in the space of five days so we're happy with that."

SUPERMARINE: Jackson, Gee, Bennett, Saunders (Grainge), McCluskey (Dix), Copp, Harris, Terry, Carter (Bunting), Bourne, Slattery

Subs not used: Titcombe

CIRENCESTER: Hervin, Davis, Fraser, Mayo, Hughes, Minturn, Knight, Robison, Hopkins, Constable (McCabe), Fitch (Ujukwn)

Subs not used: Howarth, McEntergard, Purcell

Attendance: 147

MARINE remain nine points adrift of safety as fellow strugglers Rocester lost 2-0 to Western Division leaders Merthyr Tydfil.

Marine travel to Rocester next week for a crucial relegation clash.

Elsewhere, second-placed Weston were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Shepshed and promotion chasing Mangotsfield were beaten 2-1 at Gresley.

SWINDON Supermarine face Swindon Town in their rearranged Wiltshire Premier Shield semi-final second leg at the County Ground (7.45pm).

The honours are even after the sides drew the first leg 0-0.