Sidmouth Town recorded arguably the finest result of their South West Peninsula League Eastern Division campaign when they defeated Crediton United 3-2.

Not only was the Manstone Lane success sweet revenge for a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of United when the sides met in Mid Devon back in September, but is also suggests that what Town boss Josh Stunell has been saying all season is indeed very right – that his Town side really are not that far short of being one of the top teams in the division.

The basis of the victory over a Crediton United side that still harbour promotion hopes, was an outstanding performance at the heart of defence by teenager Jamie Newbery, as well as the predatory finishing talents of Sean Densham and a disciplined and organised all-round team show.

The Vikings were slow to get going and needed a wonderful save from Dec Lines to deny the visitors a second minute opener.

That early ‘scare’ for Town seemed to be the catalyst for them to snap out of their slumbers and, with Glenn Gould and Jonny Holding seizing control of the middle third and the experienced Neil Pointing providing cover from the defensive midfield berth, the Vikings began to dictate the pace and flow of the game.

The opening goal arrived in the 10th minute when a terrific through-ball from Gould released Ashley Small who bore down on goal before slipping the ball past Crediton glovesman Fred Tonkin.

A problem for Town this season has been their knack of conceding straight after scoring and it happened again as, just five minutes later, they were pegged back when the ball was not cleared from a corner and Richard groom tucked the ball past Lines.

It took a resurgent Town just 10 more minutes to regain the lead with Shaun Densham showing his experience to find space in a crowded area and poke the ball home following a goalmouth scramble.

It got even better for the Manstone Lane faithful when, moments before the break, Densham rose above his marker to nod the ball home after a superb right wing cross.

During the interval Town boss Josh Stunell impressed upon his players the need for discipline and organisation after the break for the visitors would surely strike back.

That they did, with interest too, but the Town defence, superbly marshalled by the impressive Jamie Newbery, was equal to the best of the Crediton attacking intent.

Town did not spend the whole second half defending and presented a very real threat with some slick counter-attacking play as Small, Vere and Densham made sure the visitors defence had to be on their toes throughout.

Newbery’s shift was ‘capped’ by a goal-saving headed clearance under his crossbar. With 12 minutes left Steve Goss did finally get a second for the visitors, but Town switched to a 4-5-1 formation for the closing stages and, with wingers Ferenc Bodor and Ollie Binion providing the outlet for the quick counter, this switch proved fruitful as the visitors could not penetrate the resolute Vikings defence any further.

Sidmouth From: Lines, Farrington (C), Newbery, Booth, Wellman, Pointing, Gould, Holding, Small, Densham and Vere. Used subs: Jenkins, Binion and Bodor. Unused Jarrett and Skilton.