Shorn of four of their key man, Brimsdown showed there is life without Enfield Town-bound stars Ricky Gabriel and Bobby Devyne by crushing Pitstone & Ivinghoe 5-2 on Saturday.

With Gabriel joining Devyne in departing for the Isthmian Premier Division Towners late last week, coach Marvin Walker was also without former professionals Leon Constantine and Jude Stirling.

The win moves Brimsdown up to fourth in the Spartan South Midlands Division Two, but they are 24 points behind leaders Hale Leys United, who have played three games more.

High pressing from their hosts initially had the Limers on the back foot but they opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute. From a Henderson Browne corner, Ralston Gabriel saw his goal-bound header blocked on the line by a hand, earning Brimsdown a penalty despite the ball creeping over the line.

The offending player was dismissed and Alfie Hatch fired the spot kick into the top corner.

Five minutes after falling behind, Pitstone & Ivinghoe pulled level. Brimsdown's Browne saw a spectacular volley well saved before the two sides went in tied at 1-1 at the break.

After a disappointing first half, Brimsdown found their stride, although Pitstone & Ivinghoe did manage to hold out until the 73th minute before the visitors regained the lead.

Gabriel's shot from 20 yards crashed against the post but Browne was on-hand to tap in from close range. Just three minutes later Brimsdown scored an almost identical goal when Leon Wilson's shot hit the post and Ola Akinwande reacted first to tap in.

Brimsdown continued to display their dominance as Ola Akinwande netted his second goal of the game by curling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Minutes later, skipper Gabriel got the fifth goal. After winning the ball 25 yards from goal, he took a touch and then chipped the hosts' goalkeeper with a precise effort.

Pitstone & Ivinghoe scored another consolation goal in injury time, but Brimsdown were never in danger of being pegged back.