WILL LOVETT was a hat-trick hero in the big Journal League senior division basement battle on Tuesday night.

His second-half treble gave Combe Martin a vital 3-0 win at Landkey Town.

Three wins from their last four games indicate Combe Martin's youngsters are adapting to life in a competitive league.

Things are looking mighty tight at the foot of the table though, with one point separating the bottom three sides.

On Saturday, Landkey managed an important win when Craig Scott and Claudio Pinto were on target at Barnstaple AAC. Karl Smith replied.

And Bude Town ended a run of seven defeats when John Clayton netted four in a 6-1 win against South Molton.

Player-boss Ian Marks scored and was then sent off, before Jordan White completed the rout.

Shaun Dudley-Large claimed the consolation, and he struck again, along with Tom Pulford, as the Images hit back from two down against Dolton.

Despite their lapses in concentration, Dolton always keep going. The Folland brothers — George and Will — made it 2-0 before Billy Tubb won it with a fortuitous deflection.

It was a similar story against North Molton when Dave Warren and a delicate chip from Matt Yates had Rangers trailing 2-1.

Ben Lake scored twice, including a free kick, and Simon Ward sealed the win with a thumping header.

A haul of 26 points from the last 30 have put Dolton on the trail of Bratton Fleming who slipped up against Shebbear United.

Pacy Jethro Kimber and Danny Gray gave United a 2-1 triumph after Steve Kingdon put Bratton ahead.

Shebbear were leading 2-1 at South Molton too, thanks to Gray and Shaun Sluggett, but their promotion hopes were dented by goals from Simon Loosemore and Jamie Giffard. Home goalie Jonathon Jenkins made some spectacular saves as it finished 2-2.

A first-half double from Ryan West gave Shamwickshire Rovers the points in a hard-fought derby at Northam Lions, who replied through Rob Crump.

Shammy had to settle for a point at Kilkhampton after Jake Scriven, direct from a corner, and Lee Evans twice gave them the lead.

Kilk, whose priorities now lie in cup competitions, equalised through Josh Croxton and Danny Smith.