Newton Poppleford succumbed to a 27th straight league defeat following a 5-1 defeat at Cullompton Rangers, leaving them with one more game to take any points from a disappointing campaign, writes Jordan Cooper.

The Popples went into the game buoyed by their tight 3-1 loss to Tipton St John three days before, but found possession of the ball hard to come by in the opening exchanges.

After some last ditch tackles and fine saves from goalkeeper Alex Bowring, Cully eventually grabbed the lead midway through the first half, heading home after a succession of corners.

They soon doubled that lead after an attack down the left opened up the visitors and Cullompton’s left winger, who was a problem for Newton Pop all game, fired in from a tight angle.

The lead remained at two as the game entered half-time, giving the Popples some hope that they could rescue something from the game in the second half.

However, those hopes were short-lived as Rangers added a third after the break following a cross from the left that was headed home by an unmarked striker.

The three goal advantage was quickly reduced to two, though, when Matt Tett’s ball from midfield found brother Mark through on goal, only to be brought down by the Cully ‘keeper.

The striker picked himself up and calmly found the net from the spot, giving the visitors hope for a revival.

Within minutes those hopes were dashed as a short corner was poorly defended, resulting in another strike from a narrow angle beating Bowring but there was little he could do.

Cullompton added a fifth late on to round off a comfortable victory that could have been even more emphatic had it not been for Bowring’s excellence between the posts.

Tomorrow’s final game of the season sees Newton Poppleford host Witheridge 2nds, kick-off 3pm.