Exmouth Town suffered their fourth consecutive defeat when they were beaten 3-2 at Bristol Manor Farm, writes John Dibsdall.

There have been times this season when Town have been outplayed, missed crucial chances, made defensive errors and not shown the commitment or intensity needed at this level. None of these applied throughout this game.

The desire to win was evident, all of the players gave 100%, they had spells where they were clearly the better side but football can be cruel and, once again, crucial decisions went against them.

Town had a couple of half chances before deservedly going ahead on 22 minutes. A quick break, a deft pass by Tom Bath and Aarron Denny beat his marker to fire home in the bottom corner. The home side equalised on 36 minutes with a smart finish at the far post.

For the opening five minutes of the second half, Town had to defend but were soon on the front foot again and the home ’keeper made two great saves to deny Bath and Mike Landricombe but Town were not to be denied and Callum Shipton scored his first Southern League goal with a 25-yard curler into the top corner on 62 minutes.

Back came Manor Farm and it was Chris Wright’s turn to make an excellent save before the first moment of controversy. A long ball over the top and, as an attacker tried to get in front of Jacob Mead, there was a coming together deemed by the referee to be a professional foul and a red card was issued immediately, leaving Town down to ten men with 12 minutes remaining.

Manor Farm scored another good goal with a powerful drive on 85 minutes and then, to the delight of the home crowd, the referee indicated eight minutes of added time. Seven minutes had been played when a hopeful cross was played into the box and, as Wright was about to catch the ball, he was clearly impeded, bundled over but no foul given and the ball was eventually forced home, much to the delight of a vociferous home crowd.

Town have a week to pick themselves up before welcoming Larkhall Athletic to the Circle of Care Community Stadium next Saturday.