Sidmouth claimed an eighth win of the league season and a seventh at home as they beat Okehampton 4-3 at Manstone Lane.

With regular goalkeeper Charlie Ledger injured, second team gloves man Dec Lines got the nod from Vikings boss Joshua Stunell. The home side bossed the early proceedings with Mark Pavey and Ashley Small causing the visitors all manner of trouble and it was no surprise, in the 15th minute, the impressive Pavey fired them ahead.

That began a passage of play that saw Town play the opposition almost off the park. However, once again they were unable to apply finishing to match slick approach play and, not for the first time this term, were hit on the counter with Okehampton drawing level in the 30th minute. The lead was restored when left winger Tony Cox whipped in a fine cross that Riki Pitter headed home for his 20th of the season. However, those earlier missed chances came back to haunt the Vikings as the visitor’s levelled once more to leave things all square at half-time.

After the break both sides served up some neat passages of play, but it was Okehampton who struck next, taking a 3-2 lead on the hour mark. Five minutes after falling behind Town introduced Cameron Vere and the former Exmouth Town player soon had the ball in the net only for the ‘goal’ to be chalked off for an off-side decision!

Spurred on by what they saw as an injustice Town levelled when the impressive Small cut infield from the left wing before curling the ball home.

Vikings boss Stunell threw caution to the wind for the final ten minutes in a bid to net a winner and his adventurous approach was rewarded when, five minutes from time, substitute Mike Pidgeon expertly headed into the top right hand corner from Smalls cross. The goal completely deflated the visitors who then lost their discipline and ended the game with nine men after the referee brandished two late red cards.

Town: Lines, Thomas, Burdus, Newbery, Gingel, Small, Cox, Cooper, Doble, Pavey, Pitter. Used Subs: Vere and Pidgeon