Sidmouth Town boss Josh Stunell pulled no punches after his side had their three-month unbeaten home record ended in a 5-1 defeat to Honiton Town.

The Vikings chief said: “I have to say I did not see that coming.

“I am afraid a general lack of commitment and effort caused our downfall. I have no complaints with the result for, without doubt, the best team won.

“What I found so hard to stomach was the collective attitude from our lads because we are so much better than that!”

He continued: “I had cautioned the lads before the game that we had better players in our dressing room than they had in theirs, but that would count for nothing if we did not match their work rate on and off the ball.

“That’s exactly what happened for they [Honiton Town] clearly ‘wanted it’ so much more than us on the day.”

Stunell was quick to add: “All that said, its just one ‘bad day at the office’ and, to be fair, the lads have been delivering good consistent team performances and what’s important is not to lose focus.

“There’s no need to over react to the Honiton defeat. The best way to get such a poor show out of the system is to go out and deliver a good 90 minutes in the next game and I expect to see a response against Brixham tomorrow (Saturday).”

Jacob Rowe, who has worked his way into the Loughborough University 1st team this season, is home for Christmas and starts in the Manstone Lane meeting with Brixham (2.15pm).

Stunell says: “Jacob will bring added quality to us and give us the sort of lift we need to make sure last Saturday was a one-off.”

Town also have goalkeepers Dan Stapleton and Robbie Powell available for the game.

Stunell says: “Dan [Stapleton] has kept goal in the last couple of games and now we have Robbie [Powell] back with us so there’s a decision to be made with regard to who gets the nod for the number one jersey.

“I would not have it any other way, such decisions are difficult, but in a season when we have had to so far use seven different goalkeepers, it makes for a refreshing change to have a couple fit and available and champing at the bit to play.”

Town and Brixham met as recently as the final Saturday of November when they drew 1-1 in South Devon.

In terms of away games this season, Brixham have won just two, at Teignmouth and Alphington and have drawn at Liverton. They have lost four of their seven away games so far shipping six goals at University and five at Bovey Tracey.