HONITON Devils U11s piled the pressure on in the latter stages, but were unable to avoid a 2-1 defeat by Central Redstar.

The Devils welcomed back Lee Pulman and Joe Evans, but Evans only lasted three minutes as he was hit in the face by the ball and had to go off for treatment for a bleeding nose.

In previous encounters with the visitors, Devils have been getting closer and closer with their results and this meeting was no different.

Devils settled well from the first whistle with some lovely football played from the back by Ewan Evans.

It was Evans’ precise pass that sent striker McCreadie-Taylor for a first-time shot that went wide.

Elliot Holdsworth, covering for the incapacitated Joe Evans, put a neat pass to skipper Zac Harrison in the middle of the park. He found Pulman, who fired wide of the post.

A move started by left-back River Leisk found Pulman, who picked out McCreadie-Taylor in some space. His great shot was saved well by the Redstar goal keeper.

The second half started well for the Devils with Sam Cottingham attacking at every chance down the right, supported well by Sam Foster.

A lovely cross by Cottingham found striker Connor Brown at the far post but he was closed down quickly.

Redstar turned defence into attack and took the lead with a shot through a crowd of players that left the Devils’ keeper with no chance.

When Devils failed to deal with a corner, Redstar made it 2-0.

The Devils responded superbly, as they have all season, and with man of the match Harrison driving his team-mates on a wonderfully timed pass between two defenders sent Brown on a well-timed run to slot the ball in the far corner of the net.

With 16 minutes left the Devils attacked at will with another chance for Brown. He hesitated when Redstar shouted for off-side and his not-so-hard shot hit a post.

Moments later a good delivery from Luke Matthews was nearly met well by McCreadie-Taylor but went just wide.

Joe Evans, Pulman, Jai Freemantle and Ewan Evans were strong at the back for Honiton.

Manager Sean Brown was very proud of his boys and pleased with the brand of football they played.