WINCHESTER City’s hopes of reviving their Evo-Stik Division One South campaign came a cropper 3-2 at rock-bottom Barnstaple Town yesterday.

After putting the Citizens 1-0 up 12 minutes in, Oli Bailey missed a golden opportunity to double the advantage and things went rapidly downhill from there.

“Oli’s missed a free header from about two yards and they broke and equalised,” reported manager Craig Davis.

“Then Josh Harfield has scored a calamitous own goal to put them 2-1 up at half-time. To be fair, Josh has been outstanding for us, but this was a mix-up with Prycey (keeper Ryan Pryce).

“Second half we had a bit of a go, but we never really got our game going and Barnstaple scored again on the break.

“We got one back last minute through Tyrell Mitford and it was like The Alamo then.

"If we’d had a few more minutes, we'd probably have scored. Barnstaple weren’t a bad side but, no excuses, we had a poor day.”

The defeat leaves City 13th and Davis reflected: “I’m disappointed we’ve dropped points we shouldn’t have.

"We should have beaten Highworth at home and, with respect, we should be beating sides like Barnstaple.”

Barum's first home win since February lifts them out of bottom spot at the expense of Davis’s old club Fleet Town who entertain City this Saturday (3pm).