Exmouth Town 4 Saltash United 1

Saltash United will need to recover quickly for Saturday’s FA Vase second qualifying round tie against Axminster at Kimberley Stadium (3pm) following a nightmare midweek trip to Exmouth.

The Ashes, who arrived at Southern Road on Wednesday unbeaten in their first seven Carlsberg South West Peninsula League games knowing victory would put them top of the table, were hammered 4-1.

They had midfield man Henry Wilson sent off early in the second half.

They also saw key central defender Lewis Russell limp off near the end with an injury to his right knee, which was heavily strapped as he hobbled to the dressing room at the end.

Manager Matt Cusack said: ‘We were second best from start to finish. We did get a brief reprieve post half-time but the red card killed us.’

Saltash have been making a habit of conceding early goals and this time they were behind inside the first minute, with Ace High heading in a free kick.

They were then fortunate not to be further adrift in the third minute when Jimmy Hinds volleyed over from close range.

Exmouth dominated the first half against some shambolic defending but had only one goal to show for their superiority and Steve Sargison headed an unlikely equaliser four minutes into the second half.

Any hopes that it would spark a revival ended in the 53rd minute when Wilson received a straight red which had as much to do with the reaction of the Exmouth players as his late challenge.

From the resulting free kick, Hinds made it 2-1 and further goals were added by Karl Rickard (70 minutes) and Aarron Denny (74).

Saltash tried to find a late consolation but left themselves open at the back and Exmouth missed several opportunities to add to their score.

Saltash: R Rickard, C Summerfield (D Barker), S Sargison, L Russell (C O’Brien), S Leary, H Wilson, R Maddison, S Farrant, S Hughes, D Trott, D Lewis. Sub not used: M Cusack.