Ottery St Mary tasted defeat for the first time this season when beaten by the odd goal in seven in a thrilling Devon Intermediate Cup tie at Washbrook Meadow by visiting Tivvy Park Rangers.

The Otters got off to a perfect start when Jordan Rogers connected with an early corner to power a superb header into the back of the visitors net.

The Mid Devon side were level when a long-ball found their fleet-footed striker who made no mistake in a one-on-one situation with the home gloves man.

For the first time this season the Otters, unbeaten in league and cup prior to the game, found it difficult to seize control of the contest against a good Tiverton outfit who matched the home side in all areas.

The match was played at high tempo and a shot from 25-yards hit the inside of an upright before nestling into the bottom of the net to put the visitors into the lead for the first time.

As if to indicate it might not be the Otters day a similar situation moments later at the opposite end of the pitch saw a shot strike the upright and come back out with leading scorer Nick Harris the unfortunate player.

The home pressure continued and a quickly taken free-kick was laid off to Dale Strawbridge who rifled his shot over the bar.

Harris then found the back of the net to level things up at 2-2, getting in front of his marker at the near post. However, the Mid Devon regained their lead when the Otters defence were punished for not clearing a ball properly.

Back came the home side and it was no more than they deserved when Tom Melia levelled things up at 3-3.

With extra-time looming the visitors were awarded a hotly disputed corner and, when the ball was delivered it was again not cleared correctly and the visitors netted what proved to be the winning goal.

What further compounded the home supporters frustration was that, direct from the restart they attacked with pace and had the ball once more in the visitors net only for the ‘goal’ to be chalked off for offside!

On Saturday the Otters return to league action with a trip across East Devon to Seaton Town Reserves who went down 4-0 at Bradninch last weekend. Kick-off at Colyford Road, Seaton is 2.15pm.