Sidmouth Town Raiders 2, Cullompton Crusaders 3 Raiders Under-11s took on Division Three high-fliers Cullompton and Cullompton and contributed much to an enthralling encounter.

The visitors began brightly, but Raiders defensive duo Glen Sinker and Thomas West were equal to the challenge as was keeper Isaac James, though could do nothing about the Cully opening goal.

Sidmouth responded well and a superbly worked set-piece involving Archie Rowe, Scot Gibson and Will Lorkin was cruelly denied by the Crusaders defence.

The visitors doubled their lead and Raiders spurned a penalty just before the break so went in 2-0 down.

After a lively team talk with the coaches, Sidmouth looked a different proposition from the re-start. With added focus and energy. Ollie Jones, Ben Scrivens and Col Monaghan, began to open up the Cully back line.

Time and time again they were denied by the exceptional Cully glovesman.

At the other end a set-piece was thumped into the back of the net and, at 3-0, the visitors were looking home and dry.

That was not the case for Raiders mounted quite a fight back and netted twice in the space of ten minutes through Ollie Jones with the help of Finley Morgan and Ben Latham.

It sent up a frenetic final few minutes, but an equaliser was not forthcoming and table topping Crusaders breathed a sigh of relief at the full time whistle.

Cully coach Ian Parkhouse said: “Full marks to Raiders. They really gave us a nervy last few minutes. I am relieved that’s over!”