Sidmouth Town banked a point from their visit to Alphington where they drew 0-0 to bag a second successive away clean sheet.

The home side made a flying start, but the Vikings’ back four of Jamie Newbery, James Clampin, Neil Pointing and Kieran White, together with the impressive Robbie Powell in goal, were equal to the best the Alphas could throw at them.

Alphington’s Jonny Holding was the individual orchestrating all things good for the home side, but Powell made a number of smart saves.

Ten minutes before half-time the Vikings opened the home defence up and Ollie Binion put in a terrific right wing cross that was met by the on-rushing Connor Swingler.

However, with the goal at his mercy, Swingler somehow missed the target much to relief of the home management, but to the utter disbelief of those in the away dugout!

On the day, the former Exeter City youth team player was exceptional and a goal would have been just rewards for the talented teenager’s exceptional performance.

The second half was dominated by two excellent defences who were supported by exceptional goal-keeping, clearly it was going to take something special to beat either custodian.

That special moment arrived for the home team with 20 minutes to go when the Alphas’ Danny Burwood beat Powell, but, fortunately for the Vikings, the superb 25-yard strike cannoned off the post and out to safety.

Alphington went onto have a purple patch for five minutes, again putting the Vikings under extreme pressure.

However, the Vikings held firm and almost bagged all three points with two minutes remaining. Nathan Antat rifled a shot that had the home glovesman at full stretch and it was his finger tips that did enough to deflect the ‘goal bound’ shot the other side of the post!

Town: Powell, Newbery (C), Pointing, Clampin, White, Binion, Jones, Wellman, Swingler, Pitter, Antat. Used Subs: Burrows and Evans. Unused: Dobinson.

Star man – Connor Swingler