BILLY HOPCROFT'S goal ensured Barnstaple Town maintained their winning start to the Toolstation Western League season.

This afternoon's 1-0 win at Wells City's was Barnstaple's third victory in as many premier division matches.

It puts them third in the early table, behind Corsham Town and Ilfracombe Town.

After wins in their opening two league games, Barnstaple suffered a setback last week when they lost 4-1 at Street in the FA Cup.

But down the road at Wells today, they tightened up at the back to get make it two 1-0 wins in this season's away league games.

The game was entering the closing stages when Stan Paxton laid the ball back to Ross Jones and the midfielder's well-placed cross was headed in by Hopcroft.

It was the former Bideford's striker's third goal of the season.

Owen Pickard, the Barnstaple manager, said: "They had a hell of a lot of possession and played some good stuff.

"We rode our luck at times and had to scrap it out, but when it mattered we took our chance and the goal."

Barnstaple will hope to continue their winning run when they host Dawlish Town next Saturday.

The match was originally scheduled for Tuesday but has been moved because both teams are out of the FA Cup, giving them a free weekend.

Barnstaple Town: Jamie Pow, Harry Montacute, Kevin Darch, Paul Quinn, Ross Jones, George Swain, Ricky Marinaro, Stan Paxton, Tim Watson, Billy Hopcroft, Ryan Turner. Subs: Ashley Baker, Jason Jones, Adam Bilcock.