Newton Abbot Spurs 2, Sidmouth Town 1 Sidmouth Town were beaten by a last minute goal and so ended their confidence-boosting three match unbeaten run.

Both sides made slow starts to the contest, but it was a youthful home outfit that had marginally the better of the early exchanges.

Jack Burgess made a couple of decent saves as Town finally started to find a rhythm.

On the half hour mark Anthony Griffiths was adjudged to have pulled down the Spurs striker inside the penalty area and Burgess was sent the wrong way from the resultant penalty.

On the stroke of half time Alex Raistrick was pole-axed in the opposition penalty area, again a penalty was awarded, unfortunately for the Vikings, Andy Isaacs didn’t find good contact and the Spurs keeper saved with his legs!

A half-time prompting from boss Paddy Thomas clearly had an effect for his team, who had not been anywhere near their recent best in the first 45 minutes found a new gear and began to boss proceedings. It was no more than they deserved when they drew level after the award of the third penalty in the match!

This time Mike Stamp was sent tumbling in the area and a confident Jake Boyland made no mistake from the spot. The Vikings took charge and Matt Colson drew a good save from the home keeper.

However, as Town have found before this term, bossing possession and territory does not win games, that happens by outing the ball into the other teams net, something that Newton Abbot did in the 89th minute to consign the Vikings to a narrow defeat.

Thomas said: “That’s hard to take if only because in the dressing room after the game all the players were down. They knew how we had missed a trick with a below-par first half show. Yes we improved in the second period, but a game is won and lost over 90 minutes. The players will go into the Alphington game fresh from the disappointment of the Newton Abbot result and I am excepting to see a reaction.”

Alphington are the visitors tomorrow and a home win will see Town chalk up a rare South West Peninsula league double having beaten the Alphas in Exeter earlier in the season.