Buckland and Milber seconds 2

Kingsbridge and Kellaton took the chance to leapfrog their opponents on Saturday with a hard-fought win over their division five rivals.

The game started in dreary fashion, as Kel­laton tried and failed to establish the passing rhythm that has proved so successful for them in recent weeks.

The home side still retained most of the ball but failed to break down a Buckland defence that was both strong in the air and in the tackle.

Richard Thuel – who returned to the side in impressive form – denied an away forward with a great save at the near post early in the second half.

However, Kellaton were soon punished for their sloppy play mid-way through the first period as a sumptuous delivery from Buck­land's right flank was flicked in to the back of the net via the head of the striker.

The Ks took some time to respond, but gradually the midfield cogs started to whirl in to action as Stephen Dixon, Dom Farleigh, Chris Lynn and James Warwick started to provide opportunities to the front line of Luke Robey and Joe Phillips.

It was Joe Phillips who would have the next chance of the game, as he got his head on the end of a great delivery in to the box from left-back Luke Phillips, but his effort failed to test the away goalkeeper.

Kings equalised from a corner; Luke Robey's flicked header was beaten away by the goalkeeper, but centre-back Paul Dixon was on hand to stab in his second goal in as many games.

The Robey-Dixon combination was at work from the next corner as Robey's flag kick found Paul Dixon at the back post and his looping header back across goal found Stephen Dixon leaping to nod the ball in but the defender got back just in time to deflect the ball away.

The home side took the lead on the stroke of half time as Chris Lynn's left-footed effort from the edge of the box slammed in to the bottom corner of the net.

The half time break revitalised the away side and they got an equaliser of their own just minutes in to the second period.

The Buckland forward cut in off the left flank and unleashed a powerful drive past Richard Thuel in the home goal to level matters.

Undeterred, Kellaton pushed on to get the winner and got the reward for their ambition as Luke Robey continued the run of fine goals in this match with his firmly-struck effort finding its way in to the net.

Joe Phillips was the provider of the next goal, as his tireless running won him possession high up the pitch and his chipped ball in to the box was nodded in to the goal by on­rushing full-back Ben Smith.

By now Kellaton's defence had taken control of the away forwards, with Adam Phillips and Paul Dixon getting the better of their opposite numbers and starting to build the at­tacks from the back.

Luke Robey had the chance to add another to the scoreline late on after Farleigh was chopped down inside the box, but Robey's spot kick was palmed away by the away goalkeeper.