Sidmouth Town were edged out by a single goal when they visited table-topping Crediton United for their latest South West Peninsula League Eastern Division match.

Having already beaten the Mid Devon men in a cup tie earlier in the campaign, the Vikings travelled to Lords Meadow in confident mood.

Despite their lofty status, the home side started very slowly and where nearly made to pay for their sluggish start when Dan Evans delivered a terrific corner that was met flush on the head by Rob Knight who headed fractionally over the bar.

By the half hour mark, Town looked to have the game completely under their control. Such was the level of the Vikings’ dominance that glovesman Robbie Powell was a virtual spectator to all things going on in front of him.

However, despite having then lions share of the ball, and opening up the home side on a number of occasions, finding the back of the Crediton United net looked beyond the best intentions of any Town player! As the first half ran its course teenagers Jamie Newbery and Tyler Wellman both headed over the target when well placed.

That said, Town trooped off for a deserving half-time rest well in control of the contest.

Sidmouth started the second half well, but seemed to lack that killer pass in the final third of the pitch.

It was not until then hour mark that Town glovesman Powell was first called into serious action! It came when the home side fired their one and only shot of the game – a terrific 30-yard hit – that looked, for a split second, as if it might have deceived the Town goalkeeper.

However, the talented glovesman moved his feet well to get across his goal to make a terrific save.

Town were soon back on the front foot, but again, as they had done for much of then contest, their work up to the final third was exceptional, but it lacked a finish!

With 15 minutes remaining, the home side got the huge slice of luck that seems to stick with teams riding high in the table – and desert those having more difficult times – when a cross into the Town area was headed firmly past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate Jamie Newbery!

The Vikings through caution to the wind in the closing stages and laid siege to the Crediton goal, but it simply was ‘not a night for the Vikings’ as the home side survived and were clearly mighty relieved to head the final whistle.

Sidmouth Town: Powell, Antat, Clampin (C), Newbery, Binion, Clenahan, Wellman, Davies, Knight, Evans and Small. Used Subs: Densham, Burrows and Jarrett.

Starman – Matt Clenahan