KEVIN SQUIRE felt like a cup winner after a last-gasp victory at Newton Abbot.

Two converted tries in the final ten minutes resulted in a 21-19 win in the Devon derby.

Barum dominated the first half but blew two golden opportunities to score tries and found themselves trailing 19-7 going into the closing stages.

But pushover and penalty tries, both converted by Neil Giddy, turned the game back in their favour. Nothing pleases Squire more than beating Newton Abbot.

He said: "It was a great game to be involved in. There was a lot of pressure on it and we were emotionally drained at the end – it almost had a cup final feel to it.

"We dominated three of the four quarters. The DVD shows they didn't handle the ball in our half in the whole first half – that's an incredible stat.

"I never panicked. We felt we would finish stronger because they were a much bigger pack than us and we knew they would tire."

Squire praised Tom Skelding, the lock and captain, for "his best game in Barnstaple colours in the way he played and his leadership" and the Barum supporters who made up at least half of a crowd of about 350.

"When we went 19-7 down, the support we had was instrumental in helping us over the line," said Squire. "The players and management can't thank them enough for making the trip."

Barnstaple's win effectively knocked Newton Abbot out of the race for fourth place in National Three south west.

Victory at Pottington Road on Saturday could do the same to visitors Chippenham.

Coached by Jason Forster, the former Newport-Gwent Dragons flanker who was capped once by Wales, they have won four of their last six matches.

Squire said: "It's a very dangerous fixture. They're a real handful, as we found out when we went up there (and lost 26-23 in October)."

Gary Turner, Toby Williamson and Johny Carter are injury doubts.

Mark Galliford may return to the back line after serving the club's two-week ban for his red card against Bournemouth.