Liverton United 2, Sidmouth United 1 Town became the first side this season to suffer defeat to basement dwellers Liverton United.

That said the Vikings were up against a much changed South Devon outfit that ahs gone through quite a makeover since the recent appointment of a new manager.

Once again the Vikings were arguably the masters of their own downfall in as much as they dominated the first half, but trooped off at the beak with only a single goal to show for their considerable endeavours.

In those first 45 minutes Jake Boyland was central to all the best attacking moves, and there were plenty of them, that Town served up.

Whilst Boyland orchestrated things the wide men, Matt Colson and Nick Gingell made life very uncomfortable for the home defenders.

After a couple of tight offside decisions going against the Vikings it was Simon Hudson who timed his run to perfection before lobbing the out-rushing keeper to deservedly fire Town into the lead.

However, the teams Achilles heel of a consistent poor start to a second half, reared its ugly head once more and the South Devon side levelled during the early exchanges.

Town responded well and laid siege to the home goal, but they found the Liverton keeper to be in an inspired mood!

Boyland had three good chances whilst Aaron Doble, Tony Cox and Dan Churchill all had chances to grab what would surely have been a winning goal.

Five minutes from time the Vikings had a lucky escape when the home striker was sent tumbling in the box, but no penalty was forthcoming!

Two minutes later Liverton secured all three points when Luke Ashford, who had hardly a thing to do for most of the game, was given no chance from the edge of the box.

A very disappointed Town chief Paddy Thomas lamented: “That’s hard to take. We had enough chances to have won comfortably. We had enforced changes to make during the game due to injuries and we didn’t adapt very well. It’s a blow, but we can do more than pick ourselves sup and look to get back on track next time out.”

That next game for Town is tomorrow’s return to South Devon for a meeting with Totnes and Dartington (2.15pm).

P W D L F A Pts

Exwick Villa 12 10 1 1 48 15 31

Teignmouth 12 7 4 1 32 19 25

Stoke Gabriel 9 7 2 0 48 2 23

Galmpton United 10 7 0 3 32 23 21

Totnes & Dartington 14 5 4 5 35 30 19

Appledore 10 5 3 2 22 14 18

Alphington 11 4 3 4 20 22 15

Crediton United 12 4 3 5 23 26 15

Newton Abbot Spurs 10 4 2 4 18 16 14

Exeter University 11 3 3 5 17 20 12

Okehampton Argyle 12 3 2 7 22 31 11

Plymstock United 10 3 2 5 18 31 11

Budleigh Salterton 10 3 1 6 16 19 10

Sidmouth Town 12 2 3 7 14 28 9

Axminster Town 12 2 2 8 16 29 8

Liverton United 9 1 1 7 8 64 4