Sidmouth Town fell to a narrow defeat at the hands of high-flying Bovey Tracey in their first league outing since Boxing Day.

Freddie King was brought into the starting line-up after impressing in training in recent weeks and he should have given the Vikings the lead when he was put clear by Louis Jagger Cane but took an unnecessary touch and the defender produced a last ditch block, the ball fell back to Cane but he blazed over from the angle.

Sidmouth continued on the front foot when Cane linked well with Luka Nickles before forcing a corner after his goalbound effort was blocked. Bovey then broke from the corner and Sean Finch was denied by a brave stop from Jacob O'Callaghan.

In the 22nd minute, Bovey took the lead when the ball found its way to a Bovey player on the edge of the box and he cleverly slipped the ball through to Ollie Aplin who nicked the ball under O'Callaghan and then tapped the ball into an empty net.

Sidmouth looked to hit back when Nathan Cooper burst forward and linked with King before chopping onto his favoured right foot but his shot was well saved by the Bovey keeper Dom Aplin.

A frantic first half came to an end with Sidmouth on top but Bovey one goal to the good and Sidmouth continued to search for an equaliser but were finding it tough to break down a stubborn backline.

With time running out, it looked like Sidmouth had the equaliser when Jamie Vaughan-Ryall's long throw found its way to Bray but his effort was lifted well over the bar inside the box. The game ended in a sour moment when Ashley Hudd was dismissed for an elbow on Bovey's Lewis Perring.

A decent game at Manstone Lane where The Vikings were again left to rue missed chances. The Sidmouth Spar Man of the Match was awarded to Nathan Cooper.

Ottery St Mary endured a tough day at Newtown in the Devon Football League. The Otters were just a goal behind at half-time but fell away after the break, eventually going down to a 4-0 defeat.