Ottery St Mary claimed an outstanding three points when they won 2-1 at Fresha league Division Six title rivals Kentisbeare.

Both sides went into the meeting in Mid Devon sporting perfect starts to the league campaign and what was predicted to be a mouth-watering clash most certainly did not disappoint!

Ottery boss Mike Dawe had clearly worked hard on the training ground with his team in the build up to the contest for they started at high tempo not allowing the home team to settle.

The Otters were rewarded for their early endeavour and it was influential skipper Phil Paddison with the goal, awarded after Matt Daly had been felled 25 yards from goal. Paddison set the ball up and promptly rifled the ball into the top corner of the net!

It might have got better for the Otters moments later when Connor Swingler’s right wing cross found Sean Ford at the far post, but the ball was stabbed wide of the target.

Adam Harris was next to go close, he too failed to get the better of the Kents’ goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.

The home side are a good side and looked to get back into the game, but got little change out of a superbly organised Ottery back line.

There was one moment of angst when a Kents striker broke clear, but stand-in Otters glovesman Dale Strawbridge made a superb acrobatic save.

Midway through the second half the home side levelled from the penalty spot and that looked to have settled matters with both teams having to settle for a point.

With the game sliding into added time the home side were pressing when a foul was committed on the edge of the Otters area. The offender was shown a second yellow card to leave the game early.

Quick-thinking from Ottery full-back Nick Searle saw him move the ball swiftly down the left wing to Tom Melia and he raced clear before crossing to the far post where Swingler arrived to head the ball home.

Amongst many superb performances the stand-out Ottery shifts came from central defensive duo James Gosney and Ben Dawe.

The Otters entertain second placed Newton St Cyres on Saturday.

Next game is at home to second place Newton St Cyres 2nds, kick off 3pm.