Having entered Saturday’s clash on the back of a disappointing loss at Hitchin, the Terras were keen to make amends on home turf.

And after a goalless first half, Byerley drew first blood only for former Dorchester Town man Dave Allen to level from the penalty spot – after Ben Gerring had joined Bashley’s Jack Smith for an early bath.

With both sides down to 10 men, it was the hosts who finished with a flourish as Groves grabbed the winning goal.

And boss Brendon King believes his men ran out deserved winners.

He said: “We had a sticky few minutes to start with but once we found our feet I thought we controlled the game well.

“We limited them to very few half-chances and at half-time we said to keep doing what we are doing and be patient.

“We got the goal we deserved, their guy got sent off and then we gave a penalty away and saw Ben Gerring sent off.

“From where I was standing he got a toe to the ball. I spoke to the referee and he said that Ben’s back leg hit the Bashley lad’s standing foot.

“I don’t know how that has happened but maybe he’s looking to even things up. I thought it was harsh but we’ll look at the video and go from there.

“However, we showed character to come back and the old fella (Groves) came up with a trademark finish.”

With the return to the Bob Lucas Stadium of James Coutts – and Sam Malsom replacing Lewis Tasker – the Terras made two changes from last Monday’s 3-1 defeat.

The AFC Totton loanee, who last played for the club two and a half years ago, came into midfield with Byron Napper moving to right-back at the expense of Ollie Tribe.

Keeper Nick Jordan was back on the subs’ bench but there was no place in the squad for new arrival Alex Jeannin, whose move from Bideford was not completed in time.

It was the visitors though who made the brighter start with a trio of opportunities in the opening 11 minutes.

First, Ian Oliver shot wide from a tight angle, Mark Gamble then volleyed narrowly over from Oliver’s knock-down before Richard Gillespie turned Sam Poole but failed to trouble Tom Manley in the home goal.

The Terras gradually got to grips with proceedings, forcing five corners in quick succession.

And from the fifth delivery, taken by Stephen Reed, Poole nodded the ball back across goal but defensive partner Gerring could only poke wide on the stretch.

Reed was beginning to orchestrate proceedings and in the 18th minute he exchanged passes with Napper before testing Bash gloveman Tommy Smith with a low drive from distance.

Coutts also tried his luck from range, but to no avail, as the Terras grew in confidence.

However, it remained goalless at the interval with Byerley, who was booked for simulation moments earlier, heading straight at Tommy Smith in the final minute of the half.

Craig Duff then spurned a decent opportunity early in the second half following an inviting delivery from the influential Reed.

The midfielder need not have worried as Weymouth eventually took the lead just past the hour.

Groves’ initial centre was half-cleared but at the second attempt the 31-year-old picked out Byerley and the skipper swept home his 21st of the season.

The Terras’ cause received a further boost when Jack Smith saw red for a reckless challenge on Dixon.

But within two minutes, it was 10 versus 10 as Gerring was also dismissed.

Bashley broke with purpose and the ball was slipped into the path of Gillespie, who took a touch before going down under the challenge of Gerring.

At first glimpse the towering defender appeared to play the ball and the initial contact occurred outside the box, but referee Paul Lister instantly pointed to the spot and, despite the home side’s protests, a red card swiftly follow- ed. Manley got a hand to the spot-kick but Allen’s effort still found the left corner.

The Terras felt hard done by but they responded in the best possible manner – regaining their advantage with 14 minutes to go.

Oliver’s weak header back fell kindly for Groves and he coolly slipped the ball under the advancing keeper.

With the Bash desperate to res- tore parity, Manley had to be at his best to deny Gillespie before Dixon did well to block from James Stokoe.

As the visitors pushed forward late on, Weymouth had chances to extend their lead but Duff scuffed over while Byerley was thwarted by the legs of Tommy Smith.