IT WAS one step forward, two steps back for St Blazey at Blaise Park on Saturday as they crashed to a heavy defeat only a week after outplaying a powerful Bridgwater team.

Play-off chasing Barnstaple were far too strong for the Green & Blacks, who failed to score for the first time in 12 games.

That would have been different had Callum McGhee not seen a 37th minute penalty saved by Mike Searle when Barum were only 1-0 ahead courtesy of Josh Parry’s 21st minute strike.

The visitors then dominated the second half and added further goals from Luke Mortimore (53 minutes), Adam Hill (61) and Tommy Rogers (67).

To add to their woes, Blazey lost top scorer Harry Probyn to injury six minutes after the break.

Blazey manager Mark Carter said: “In our latest Jekyll and Hyde performances, today was definitely a Mr Hyde day.

“Everything we did well last week, we didn’t do today. Individually we didn’t make the right decisions, nor did we offer much of a threat going forward.

“We were second best pretty much all afternoon. Credit to Barnstaple, I fully expect them to be in the play-offs at the end of the season.”

He added: “Harry Probyn limping off, could be a concern for us. Hopefully Lauren our physio can work her magic with him in the week.

“On a positive note young Harry Blows and Owen Curtis both made their Western League debuts today, stepping up from the under 18s.”

ST BLAZEY: Kyle Moore; Will Tinsley (capt), Tom Strike, Charlie Hambly, Jordan Bentley, Tom Cavanagh, Noah Maund (Harry Blows, 55), Sam Clifton, Harry Probyn (Haiden Chapman, 51), Callum McGhee (Owen Curtis, 86), Tom Hensman (Ashton Cantell, 78). Sub not used: Mac Dewsnap (gk).

St Blazey man-of-the-match: Jordan Bentley.