After months of a heavily condensed division, there is a degree of separation for the two frontrunners in the Devon Football League.

The University of Exeter and Appledore are locked together on 46 points, nine clear of their closest challengers from Beer Albion, and the top two boast an identical record of 15 wins, one draw and two defeats. Only a superior goal difference gives the students a slight edge.

Goals from Callum Chalmers, Luke Steer, Xavier de Pedro and Teddy Hall gave the Uni a comfortable 4-1 win over Elmore on Saturday, while Appledore beat North Molton 3-2 in a terrific North Devon derby.

Beer Albion allowed the gap to grow after being held to a goalless draw at home to mid-table Bere Alston and Plymouth Marjon marched into fourth with a 7-0 demolition of Mount Gould.

South Devon is seriously under-represented in this league, with Ipplepen Athletic the only side flying that flag, and they are stuck second from bottom, although well clear of a cut-adrift Feniton and just a couple of wins would move them into mid-table.

The story of a runaway leader is replicated in the South West Peninsula League, where Ivybridge Town hold an incredible 18-point lead over Crediton United in second. A visit from a dangerous Axminster should have been a test for the Ivies but goals from Jack Alexander (2), Luke Forward, Sean Thompson, Jake Lane and Owen Pritchard gave the leaders a 6-0 win.

Only two other games survived the frosty conditions in the SWPL and almost 200 spectators watched Bridport host a 2-2 draw with Elburton Villa, while Cullompton Rangers battled back to drew 1-1 with Bovey Tracey, who opened the scoring through Neil Lane. Cully ended the game with nine men after two red cards.

Holsworthy are the Devon representatives in the West Division but they had a weekend to forget, slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to bottom club St Dennis.

It was a frustrating weekend for Devon clubs in the Toolstation Western League, as Brixham were held at home and the duo of Buckland Athletic and Barnstaple Town suffered defeats on the road. All three have been lurking near the top positions but now face a hefty gap to close on the top trio of Helston Athletic, Clevedon Town and Bridgwater United.

Heading into the last 13 minutes at Wall Park, Brixham were 2-0 down against mid-table Street and only rescued a point courtesy of a strike by Ben Aldous and a last-minute equaliser from Kieran Parkin.

Stuart Bowker scored the consolation as Barnstaple lost 2-1 at St Blazey in tricky conditions, while Buckland were beaten by two late goals in quick succession at Torpoint Athletic.

It was a weather wipeout for Devon clubs in Division One South of the Southern League, as Bideford, Exmouth and Willand all saw their games postponed. Tavistock had no game scheduled after the 6-2 trouncing of title-chasing Frome Town a few days earlier.

That defeat for Frome was good news for Bideford, who are three points behind the leaders. Willand and Tavvy remain locked in mid-table, while Exmouth continue their fight for survival at home to Yate Town on Saturday.

The two Devon clubs in the Premier Division had contrasting fortunes on the weekend, as Plymouth Parkway celebrated a dominant win at home but Tiverton Town suffered a heartbreaking loss on the road.

Parkway opened a slight cushion on the bottom four with a 6-2 demolition of play-off hunting Hungerford. Jack Crago bagged a brace for the Bolitho Park outfit.

Tivvy are scrambling to escape the relegation zone and were heading for a solid point at Basingstoke before being hit by two goals in the last ten minutes. The late consolation from River Allen could not prevent a 3-2 loss.

Special mention to former Torquay United youngster Olaf Koszela, who scored an 11-minute hat-trick for Dorchester Town in their 3-2 win over Merthyr Town.