A crowd of 133 gathered at a wet Kimberley Stadium to witness an inspired second-half display by the Ashes in which they obliterated the reigning champions' proud record of 33 League games without defeat.

The League leaders travelled to East Cornwall sporting a 100 per cent record from their opening nine games in which they had conceded just four goals.

But they travelled back to South Devon with their tails firmly between their legs and more goals conceded in one game than in the whole of those nine games put together.

The Ashes went into the game without top Marc Thorne, suffering an ankle injury, and with Sam Hughes on the bench after returning from holiday, but that did not stop them providing a display of clinical finishing.

Phil Harvey, in charge in manager Tony Hendy's absence, was delighted after the final whistle, saying: 'We proved we are a match for anyone in this league!

'Expectations at this club are always extraordinarily high and to date we have under achieved but I hope we can take a lot of positives out of this game.

'Kevin Hendy and I have always believed in our squad and hopefully now the players will believe in themselves,' he added.

Buckland's best spell was in the opening quarter as Antony Lynch's rasping 20-yard free kick was deflected over the bar by Ashes keeper Paul Hider.

The Ashes went ahead on 43 minutes and luck was certainly on their side as Menhenick's 25-yard free kick deflected off the head of Danny Lewis to loop over the stranded Lanyon and into the corner of the net.

Buckland's attempts to force the game after the interval amounted to one moment of panic for the home side as keeper Paul Hider's punch found Lewis sending in a low drive that was cleared off the line by Menhenick.

When the ball came back into the six-yard box Hider made amends with a brave save at the feet of Booth.

Saltash responded by doubling their lead on 65 minutes with a goal of pure class, both in build-up and execution.

Gavin Coulton's precise pass found the hard-working Ross Saint, who slipped a first-time ball into the feet of Aaron Cusack for the midfielder to supply a clinical low finish across Lanyon and inside the far post.

Buckland's vociferous travelling fans were given hope 10 minutes later when Luke Horrocks followed up to head home after Ben Williamson's header had come back off the crossbar.

But it was false hope as the Ashes surged forward and were rewarded with three goals in the final 11 minutes. Aaron Cusack, playing one of his best games in the Ashes midfield, threaded the ball into substitute Hughes who, although being fouled, kept his feet to round Lanyon and slot home.

Buckland were still reeling as Coulton's excellent right-wing cross found Hughes, who picked out the run of Cusack and the midfielder smashed a spectacular drive into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

The home fans were still celebrating as their side won back possession from the restart for Hughes to burst clear and draw Lanyon before stearing a low shot inside the far post.