DEFEAT at Bishop Sutton ended Ilfracombe Town's 18-match unbeaten away record — and their title hopes.

Third-placed Combe are 12 points adrift of Toolstation Premier Division leaders Bideford.

And that, according to manager Barry Yeo, is too much to make up.

"The gap is far too big now," he said. "Talking about us winning the league is far off the mark.

"If we carry on the way we have been going, hopefully we can see the season out in a positive way and enjoy it.

"There's no pressure at all now. Pressure was last year, trying to stay up. Now we're up near the top, we can go out, enjoy it and express ourselves."

A young, speedy Bishop Sutton side were too good for Ilfracombe on Saturday.

They took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with both goals from Pete Shepherd, and stretched it to 3-0 after the break when Liam Farmer volleyed in a Shepherd cross.

Neil Bettiss headed Combe's goal in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.

They paid the price for failing to take their chances.

Ross Middleton and Leon Taswell both had efforts cleared off the line, Taswell blazed over after Steve Holland's shot was saved and Shaun Lewis blew an opportunity when put through by Mike Hedden.

"You can't afford to go losing games at this end of the season if you want to stay up there," said Yeo.

"We didn't play well at all. I got right into them because I thought we could still win it. But we missed three great chances in the first 10 minutes and then got killed off by their third goal."

Last night's Les Phillips Cup tie at Larkhall Athletic was the third game Yeo has had to watch away from the dugout as he serves a five-match touchline ban.

"I can't scream and shout and that's difficult because I tend to kick every ball — it's a learning curve for me," he said. "I've got to have a look at it, but I'm not going to change overnight."

Yeo named midfielders Robbie Gough and Lee Francis on the bench for Saturday's game with an eye on the Larkhall tie in a competition which offers Combe's only remaining chance of glory.

If they won they will go to Bridport in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Otherwise, they will be home to Street in the league.