TEN-MAN Appledore showed character to end their five-match losing streak in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League.

Keith Shapland's team were in a spot of bother early in the second half against Axminster Town at Marshford.

No sooner had the visitors equalised with a swerving shot from Jamie Chamberlain than Jamie Frickleton was sent off for retaliation.

But Richard Chumbley lashed in his first of the season to give Appledore a 2-1 win.

Shapland, the player-manager, said: "With the run we have been on it would have been very easy for us to fold.

"There was great camaraderie with just ten men. We needed to stand up and be counted and there was no player out there who didn't do their bit."

Backed by the wind in the first half the hosts went ahead when Brian Levien worked a short corner and saw his cross elude everyone and fly into the far corner.

Axminster, rooted to the foot of first division (east), equalised in identical circumstances with Chamberlain's strike giving Jimmy Thorne no chance.

Frickleton was then sent off for kicking out but Appledore responded with a superb 20-yard winner from Chumbley.

Sam Box made his debut up front alongside Roger Bonaparte and Josh Pearce, another new signing from Barnstaple Town reserves, went on in midfield.

"Hopefully Roger, with his experience, can bring Sam on as a footballer," said Shapland.

"There are no guarantees but they are more than likely to start together most weeks.

"Hopefully they'll get to know each other's games, complement each other and score goals."

Appledore have an opportunity to move up the league when they host Teignmouth on Saturday. The two sides are level in mid-table with 27 points from 20 games.

Kriss Boreham (ankle) is unlikely to be back and Chumbley is unavailable.

Witheridge's premier division match at Ivybridge was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

They are due to host bottom side Royal Marines at Edge Down Park on Saturday.