Exmouth Town faced late heartbreak at the NL Services Stadium for the second consecutive year, as a stoppage time Jacob Spence winner earned Bristol Manor Farm a 1-0 win.

In an even game, with not much between the sides, the defender’s header was enough to separate the two teams.

There was a delay to the start of the match, as one of the officials were unable to make it, leading to joint-manager Kevin Hill taking the role of linesman for the game.

Tom Bath had the first effort of the game, spotting Seth Locke off his line before taking aim, and while it made the goalkeeper run back, it was not on target.

Abubacarr Sama caused Town plenty of problems in the first half as he drifted outside the Exmouth box, and he had a shot that went at Phillips.

The Portwaymen would have an excellent chance to open the scoring after 14 minutes, as a corner found it’s way to Louis Britton, and his header was brilliantly saved by Frankie Phillips, who needed treatment after making the stop.

Exmouth had a couple of half chances, with the first coming through Aarron Denny just missing Bath with his cross, and Nelson Iseguan recovered what looked a lost cause, and tried to find Isaac McCue, but the youngster couldn’t quite get a shot off.

Louis Morison was next to have a go on goal, with his volley going close to the top corner.

Exmouth were in the ascendancy, but were limited to shooting from outside the box, as Joe Belsten found the space to took aim, and his effort just went wide of the mark.

Morison and Belsten would have another attempt each, but the half would end all-square.

The defender would find himself on the end of the first chance of the second half, as a corner fell into his path, but he blasted the shot over the bar.

Denny would try and bring a flatter Town into the lead, as he drove forward before finding Bath, and his shot was well over.

Manor Farm remained a threat through Evander Grubb, and he would have a golden chance to open the scoring as he was put through on goal, but Phillips read the situation well and made a superb save to deny him.

Neither team were able to really get going in the second half, with Exmouth not as quick to the second balls as they were in the first half, and it was not sticking up front for both teams.

Town thought they had a great chance to score late, as Iseguan looked to have beaten Mason Winter to the ball, but the referee adjudged that moment to be a foul.

From that following free-kick, Exmouth switched off from the second ball and the ball from Jamie Adams was met by a superb header from Jacob Spence, which found the back of the net.

It was a tough defeat to take for Town, who deserved something for their efforts, but they will look to bounce back next Saturday when they host Bemerton Heath Harlequins at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

LINE-UP: Phillips, Cann, Belsten, Morison, Landricombe, Knowles, Denny, Shipton, McCue (May, 71), Iseguan, Bath (High, 90).

SUBS NOT USED: Rowe, Riddell.