A self-confessedly depressed Ivybridge Town boss Brian Howard was left ruing a second-half performance on Tuesday night that he described as 'a capitulation'.

The only bright spot on the horizon was Buckland Athletic mirroring the 6-0 scoreline that was handed out to the Bridgers by Cullompton Rangers.

This means that Athletic are now promoted so, given the Royal Marines' withdrawal from the league, Town are guaranteed Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier Division football next season.

Following the defeat to St Blazey at the weekend, where Howard claims the Bridgers were robbed by the officials after putting in a solid, hard-working display, Tuesday's game was looking as if it would be played in the same vein in a tight first half.

What followed left a clearly disappointed, to put it mildly, Howard talking of the need to strengthen the squad ahead of next season and also suggesting that the players need to take a long, hard look at themselves.

Accusing the players of a lack of effort and of not playing for each other as a team, he hinted that some of the players may have played themselves out of the team ahead of the planned rebuilding work over the summer.

On a brighter note, Howard was confident that, following the work on the pitch and facilities, Town have the infrastructure required to succeed in this league, and was keen to stress how much his players have learned following what has undoubtedly been a difficult season.

With home games against Penzance and Elburton Villa remaining, a good performance, such as the Bridgers had been putting in regularly since Christmas barring Tuesday, would do much for the club's well-being.