Newton Poppleford met Bampton for the second successive and ultimately went down in a classic ‘contest of two very different halves’.

Making one change from the side that had lost to Bampton in the Bill Slee Cup – Adrian Parr taking over from Alex Bowring in goal – the Popples made a sluggish start and fell behind to a 20th minute goal.

In the cup tie the Mid Devon side benefited from a brace of penalties and their second goal came from yet another spot kick!

Trailing 2-0 at the break, stern words from manager Neil Wood clearly resonated with the players for the Popples were a yard sharper in the second half, but they fell further behind to a fortuitous goal.

With 25 minutes to go the Popples sprung into action. Neat combination play between Zak Harwood and Mark Pavey led to the latter getting on back and when some midfield magic from Harwood set up Mark Tett to make it 3-2, the outcome of the match was very much in doubt!

With 15 minutes left Popples boss Wood opted for a switch to three at the back and replaces a defender with Scott Atkins and it was Atkins who so nearly equalised with a strike that flashed wide.

The Bampton glovesman then pulled off a wonderful save to deny Rasmussen before, with Popples throwing everything they had into seeking a leveller, they were hit on the break with Bampton completing the scoring netting their fourth of the contest.

This Saturday (October 15) Popples travel to Broadclyst to face high-flying Division One side Cronies in a Devon Senior Cup tie.

Newton Poppleford Reserves went down 3-1 on their visit to Bampton Reserves. Matt Hill scored the Popples goal.

On Saturday the Popples second string play a Macron League Division Eight game at home to table-topping Axminster Town thirds.