Noah Rubio was the star turn as Bishop’s Cleeve came from behind to win 2-1 at a wet and very windy Brixham last night.

The victory lifts Paul Collicutt's men ahead of Shaftesbury in Division One South of the Southern League and back into the play-off places.

Rubio’s goals came in the second half after Brixham had gone in front through Aaron Wellington in the 38^th minute.

Will Turner denied the home side a second when he cleared off the line on the stroke of half-time, but then Rubio took over after the break.

He levelled in the 50th minute with a superb free-kick, a free-kick he won, and clinched the points 18 minutes from time when he fired home from the edge of the penalty area after good work by substitute Reegan Messenger.

“They were two very good goals,” said Collicutt. “He’s a flair player, very talented.

“He’s only a young lad, 19 or 20, and can play wide on the left or right and at 10.”

Rubio played on the right last night and Collicutt continued: “He joined us from Rugby Town five or six weeks ago.

“He played against us when he was at Inkberrow earlier in the season and hit the woodwork in both games.

“He lives in Oldham and doesn’t work or drive, he’s totally dedicated to football.

“His parents drive him everywhere. They come to every game, every training session.”

Last night’s result, which followed a 3-0 win at Tavistock on Saturday, was all the more impressive because of the conditions in south Devon.

“They were the worst we’ve played in this season,” Collicutt said. “The wind was all over the place and then the rain started. It was very difficult.”

Fifth-placed Cleeve now have back-to-back home games – against Mousehole on Saturday and Falmouth Town on Tuesday – and their supporters will be hoping for maximum points against teams who are in the bottom half of the table.

“There’s still a long way to go and a lot is going to happen between now and the end of the season, we’ve got 24 points to play for,” added Collicutt.

“Five of our last six games are away and we’ve got some long journeys. We travel to Exmouth on Good Friday, we’ve got to go to Falmouth and Willand. Our closest away game is Swindon Supermarine.”

Their 42nd and final game of the campaign is at Bideford Town on Saturday 25^th April and their last home game is against Hartpury, who could still make it into the play-offs, on Easter Monday.

“It’s between ourselves, Malvern, Portishead, Winchester, Shaftesbury and Hartpury for the four play-off places,” said Collicutt. “Frome will win the division.”

Frome thumped Cleeve 4-0 10 days ago with all four of their goals coming in the first half.

“They battered us for the first 45 minutes. It took me a week to get over that,” admitted Collicutt.

“But it’s given the team and me a real kick up the backside. They could have done us a favour.”

Cleeve were beaten by Malvern in a semi-final play-off last season after finishing the campaign in third, the best in their history.

They led the table at the start of this season and were unbeaten in their opening 12 games and Collicutt continued: “We’ve played well at times and badly at times, but we’ve mustered only 10 points fewer than in the whole of last season.”