ILFRACOMBE TOWN extended their 100 per cent record in the Toolstation Premier Division with a 2-0 win over Bitton this afternoon.

The Bluebirds went second in the table as goals from Robbie Gough and Shaun Lewis rewarded a determined display.

Gough neatly side-stepped his marker to fire the opener past Alex Hands after 10 minutes.

And Lewis sealed their third league win mid-way through the second half, drilling the ball through the goalkeeper's legs.

Bitton were reduced to 10 men for the last 15 minutes when Rob Scott was sent off for a foul on Lee Francis.

After Wednesday's excellent win at Falmouth Town in the FA Cup replay, Combe were without Neil Bettiss and Mike Hedden due to cricket, and Matt Downing who has played his last game before joining the army.

Manager Barry Yeo took advantage of Bideford's free Saturday in the Southern League, bringing in their defender Darren Hawkings.

Lewis provided an early warning for the visitors as he out-sprinted Steve Jones on the right wing but was unable to pick out a blue shirt in the middle.

But Combe were rewarded for their strong start when Gough made the break through following an defence-splitting pass from Jon Vooght and cut-back by Francis.

As the wind swirled around Marlborough Park, Vooght, Scott Huxtable and Leon Taswell all sent over dangerous crosses without a home player finding a finishing touch.

Young defender Ryan Bennett had a torrid time against the pace of Lewis in the first half and after receiving a caution for pulling the striker's shirt, it was no surprise when he was replaced by Scott at half-time.

Bitton started the second half on the front foot and Mayne was forced to clear when Mark Salter headed on a free kick from Mitch Tippas.

Salter, a prolific striker in the Western League, was rarely given space by a dominant defence though, as Hawkings and Mayne stood firm.

The left-footed free kicks of Mat Knapman provided Bitton's biggest threat and one of his deliveries came inches away from an equaliser by substitute David Burborough.

That prompted Combe to up their work-rate and on the next attack they put the result beyond doubt.

With the rain pouring down, the ball ran for Lewis on the slippery surface and he instinctively fired past Hands.

Any hopes of a Bitton revival ended when Scott lunged in on Francis and was sent off.

Although the substitute won the ball, referee Ian Roberts deemed the challenge to be dangerous.

Gough almost added a third moments later when his swerving 20-yard shot flashed just wide.

Ilfracombe will be happy with a strong performance to inflict a first defeat of the season on their opponents, and will head into next Saturday's FA Cup tie at Frome Town in good form.

Ilfracombe Town: Steve Oliver, Scott Huxtable, Jon Vooght, Darren Hawkings, James Mayne, Ross Middleton, Robbie Gough, Lee Francis, Steve Holland, Shaun Lewis, Leon Taswell. Subs not used: Mark Gilfillan, Karl Baggaley, George Gwynn.

Bitton: Alex Hands, Guy Cox, Mat Knapman, Steve Jones, Jon Crowley, Ryan Bennett (Rob Scott), Brandon Barnes (Leon Maloney 60), Jack Welling, Mark Salter, Luke Clarke (David Burborough 60), Mitch Tippas.