A goal from Callum Shipton worthy of winning any game and a strong determined defensive performance were the keys to Exmouth Town overcoming title favourites Tavistock last Saturday, writes John Dibsdall.

On a wet afternoon with thankfully little wind the visitors were the more purposeful side in the first half and with more composure could have gone into the break a couple of goals to the good.

One superb block by Scott Merritt kept the score line goalless with Nathan Cooper screwing Town’s best opportunity wide whilst Karl Rickard had one fierce drive tipped over the bar.

The second period saw Town enjoy more possession and more forward play as they began to ask questions of a defence that, until last Wednesday evening, when they lost at Bodmin, had earned 12 straight victories in the league.

Robbie Powell had made one smart save until the only goal of the game came on 72 two minutes. Shipton was on as a sub following Simon Withers (deputising for the still injured Aaron Denny) left the field with concussion.

A defence-splitting pass by Mark Lever found Shipton twenty two yards from goal and his right foot curler beat the despairing dive of the ‘keeper to nestle in the back of the net.

As Tavistock increased the pressure on Town’s goal, it needed another block on the goal line from Dave Rowe to preserve the lead, but the team worked hard as a unit and in the dying moments Jimmy Hinds was twice denied when a second goal would have eased the nerves of all Town supporters.

Town are in action again on Wednesday night (November 14) when Elburton Villa are the visitors and then, on Saturday (November 17), its another trip into Cornwall and a meeting with Camelford.