GALMPTON Gents bounced back from Good Friday's defeat to Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Division One East leaders Stoke Gabriel by crushing Alphington 4-0 yesterday.

The victory keeps the Gents' hopes of lifting the title alive as they are now six points adrift of Stoke with two games in hand and yesterday's winning margin meant that they also whittled away at the leaders' superior goal difference.

Galmpton took a third-minute lead when Shane Shobrooke was fouled in the area for Craig Duff to convert the penalty. Adam McNeil was sent off for committing the foul, leaving the Alphas to play 87 minutes a man short.

They could have conceded again before the break, but Duff shot wide from a second penalty, but this was forgotten five minutes into the second half with Jamie Chamberlain notching the Gents' second goal. Victory was assured when Shobrooke struck twice, in the 60th and 85th minutes, to add two more vital goals to the three points.

Liverton United's hopes of joining Galmpton on 54 points were destroyed as the Royal Marines won 2-0 at Halford. The Marines are now 15 points adrift of Stoke but have eight games in hand over the leaders, after two goals from Sam Dibling ensured three points.

Newton Abbot Spurs bounced back from their Good Friday defeat at Liverton to beat Teignmouth 3-1 at Coombe Valley, where all the scoring took place in the final 11 minutes.

After 79 goaless minutes it was an own goal by defender Alex Blackburn that gave Spurs the lead, which the visitors doubled two minutes later when Adam Tyson coolly slotted the ball home.

Teignmouth replied with player- manager Geoff Breslan scoring from the penalty spot, after a foul on Adam Hill, but Spurs hit back with Steve Mardell completing the scoring.

Exmouth Town moved up to seventh place after their impressive 3-0 victory at Totnes & Dartington. James Berry cut in from the left flank to fire Town into a 15th-minute lead which they increased midway through the second half when Adam Turner fired low past the advancing goalkeeper. Victory was assured five minutes later as top scorer Ben Shepherd headed home from six yards.

Appledore thrashed Exeter Civil Service, last season's champions, 6-1 at Marshford. Shaun Copp's delicate chip gave the north Devon outfit a 15th minute lead, but sloppy defending allowed Nick Murray to equalise five minutes later.

Two goals from Marc Bettis in the 40th and 41st minutes gave Appledore a two-goal cushion at the interval, and there was only one side in the game after the break as goals from Aaron Stevens, Shaun Downing and Matt Downing completed the rout.

Okehampton Argyle eased their problems by winning 3-1 at Axminster Town where Frankie Nomah-Koneh scored twice in the first half. Alex Wheatley pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, and then missed a great opportunity to level by missing a twice-taken penalty before Jonjo Fellows' 40-yard effort slipped through the home 'keeper's hands seven minutes from time.

In Division One West, Hayle's 2-0 defeat at Plymstock United meant that they spurned a chance to move level on points with leaders Newquay.