WELLINGTON Reserves secured a top-three spot in the Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter Football League’s premier division with a 4-1 away win over University of Exeter 2nds.

With a few key players unavailable - including manager Mark Owen - assistant boss Michael Owen was only able to take a squad of 13 for this tough away day.

With no recognised keeper, Rohan Poulsom went between the sticks on his return from Canada while Daniel Conway made his first start.

Early on Jack Bryant saw a long-range shot go the wrong side of the post with the keeper beaten. Wellington took the lead from the penalty spot after 15 minutes when Conway was tripped in the box and he picked himself up to hit his spot-kick low into the bottom corner.

Both teams kept probing at each other but poor finishing and good defending saw the half end with the visitors 1-0 up.

Wellington had to make an early change in the second when Luke Perry was forced off and was replaced by Elijah Hillier. Wellington increased the lead when Jim Beatty raced clear and hit a fine shot past the keeper. A third goal followed when the ball was worked down the left and, after some slick passing the ball, Hillier netted from close range.

Sam Bryant was also forced off just after that goal and he was replaced by the returning Alfie Barrett, who had been out injured for five months.

Jack Bryant made it 4-0 with a fine shot from the edge of the box. Exeter managed to pull one back in the final minutes but the visitors held on for a fine result to make it eight games unbeaten.

Wellington Reserves: Rohan Poulsom, Wes Poulsom, Connor Noble, Sam Bryant, Tom Davies, Ollie Ackland, Sam Poole, Luke Perry, Daniel Conway, Jack Bryant, Jim Beatty. Substitutes: Elijah Hillier and Alfie Barrett (both used).