Upton defeat is music to Coysh's ears
Galmpton's John Easterbrook grabbed the winner ten minutes from time to snatch an unexpected 3-2 victory, which had looked increasingly unlikely after Upton battled back from 2-0 down to level proceedings – courtesy of a Ryan Little double – and were piling on the pressure in the second half.
Savash Zulhayir – who is due to become a father to twins – and Shaun Ripley scored the goals which had initially put the visitors in control.
"We just didn't look up for it, especially in the first-half when the players could have done with a kick up the backside," said a disappointed Phillips, whose team suffered their first defeat in 12 matches in all competitions.
"We were a little bit better after the break and had loads of chances but the Galmpton keeper pulled off some fantastic saves."
News of Upton's shock defeat went down well with Brixham United manager Mike Coysh, whose side's 3-1 win over basement boys Riviera Spurs moved them above the inactive East Allington United into second place – nine points behind Athletic with three games in hand.
"It's great news that Upton lost – if the results keep going our way, we've got a chance of catching them," beamed Coysh, whose side are the only other to have beaten the leaders in the league this season. "We've still got to play them again as well."
After a goalless first half, Mark Griffiths fired Coysh's boys in front but they were pegged back when Steve Tibble slotted home.
That failed to stop Brixham in their stride, however, as further strikes from new signing Richard Whittaker and Jay Morgan handed them all three points and left Spurs fighting to keep their top-flight status.
Riviera manager Colin Wren is refusing to give up hope, though.
"I'm in the process of rebuilding a new team after losing players to higher leagues at the beginning of the season and I'm not going to give in," he insisted.
Spurs remain three points from safety after fellow strugglers Waldon Athletic were thrashed 4-1 by unbeaten title chasers Kingskerswell & Chelston.
And Waldon's joint-boss Dane Cloke – who was forced to play again due to having five players missing through suspension and Wayne Bergin out because of work commitments – is mulling over whether to bring in some 'stars' to bolster his depleted team.
"If it means I've got to use all my contacts in South Devon football to keep us in the Premier Division that's what I'll do – but I didn't really want to do that when Steve Tucker and I took over in the summer," said Cloke.
"We wanted to bring the youngsters through rather than sign some stars but we had ten players playing today (Saturday) who were with me when I was in charge of the Reserves in Division Four last year, and that's too many to have to rely on."
Fred Smith inflicted most of the damage on Waldon with a treble while 16-year-old Sean Adderley also got his name on the scoresheet again. Chris Harrity notched the consolation.
Andy Slough hit a late leveller as Brixham Villa snatched a share of the spoils against Hele Rovers at Barton Downs.
Jody Rooney had given Hele – for whom manager Jeff Bidder was forced to make his first appearance of the campaign as a substitute after Steve Leeds picked up an injury – the lead.
Bidder quipped: "It's the first time I've played this season and it'll be the last – I'm going to have to put my feet up for a couple of days because I can't move!"
● BRIXHAM Villa Reserves boss Keith Pitman was furious with his side after they blew the chance to reclaim top spot from inactive Division One table-toppers Abbotskerwell – going down 2-1 at home to relegation battlers Newton 66.
"We were useless – I'm very disappointed and annoyed with my players," blasted Pitman, whose team have now lost three of their last four games.
"On that form, we'll be in a relegation battle ourselves by the end of the year."
Villa were 1-0 down at half-time thanks to a Robin Bishop screamer but it looked as though Pitman's boys had snatched a point when Ian Foster restored parity from the penalty spot with 15 minutes to go.
However, it was 66 who had the final word, with Jon Clyne finding the top-corner with a long-range effort – but their win was marred by an injury to James Kelly, who was stretchered off after just three minutes.
Watts Blake Bearne took advantage of Villa's latest slip-up – thrashing Loddiswell Athletic 4-1 to become the division's new leaders.
Goals from John McKenzie, player-manager Matt Heywood, Jamie Hutchings and Matt Barkwell did the damage, while Matt Price hit Loddiswell's consolation.
Galmpton Gents 3rds held on for a 2-1 victory against bottom club Paignton Saints to move up four places to sixth.
James Endean and Jason Rogers both hammered home 20-yard strikes to put Galmpton in control, before James Welsh pulled one back ten minutes from time to set up a tense finale.
