Sidmouth Town made title-chasing Brixham work hard for their 3-1 success at Manstone Lane, with the South Devon side netting twice in the final 10 minutes to take the points.

The Vikings began brightly with Connor Swingler at the heart of much of the attacking intention.

Brixham were on the back foot for long periods of the first half, and yet it was they who led at the break when Josh Lucas found the net from close range on the half hour.

Soon after Town opened up the visiting defence, but, with just the goalkeeper to get the better of, experienced hitman Shaun Densham placed his header straight at the relived visiting custodian!

Town began the second half with an increased tempo and it was no more than they deserved when they were awarded a 60th minute penalty after some fine approach play from Glenn Gould.

Up stepped Ben Ben Farrington to drill the spot kick home. Ten minutes from time came what would prove to be the pivotal moment in the game when the impressive Swingler found time and space to get a shot away that beat the Brixham glovesman only to cannon back into play off the crossbar.

A minute later Town were behind for the second time in the match when they failed to clear a routine cross, allowing Lucas the opportunity to net his second.

With the pitch getting badly cut up the longer it went on, the effectiveness of the crisp passing game that the Vikings favour, was nullified.

Midfielders Gould, Wellman and Farrington all lost their footing at vital times and, with just five minutes remaining, Brixham made sure of taking all three points when Kieran Parkin punished some naive defending to score and take his side top of the table.

Town are back in action this Saturday (March 18) when they host a University side that won their Throgmorton Devon premier Cup semi-final at Cullompton Rangers on Wednesday night, beating Crediton United 2-1.

Town: Lines, Binion, Pointing, Booth, Skilton, Farrington, Wellman, Gould, Antat, Densham, Swingler. Used Subs: Newbery, Griffiths and Evans

Star man – Connor Swingler