A stoppage time winner from Cameron Beard saw Exmouth Town lose 2-1 at the Cockrams against Shaftesbury, in the Southern League Division One South.

Luke Burbidge opened the scoring before half-time, and Tom Bath responded soon after the break, but a late winner condemned Town to their first defeat of 2025.

It was the hosts who had the first shot of the game, with Alefe Santos testing Frankie Phillips with a volley from range, which took a slight deflection on the way but was saved nontheless.

After Mike Landricombe missed the ball in the box, Shaftesbury had another go on goal, but this time a block from the captain and a simple save for the goalkeeper stopped that chance.

Exmouth would have a big opportunity to open the scoring with their first shot, as a cross found a diving Callum Shipton, and his header from close range was wide of the target.

The Rockies would take inspiration and do the same thing moments later, as Connor Cocklin diverted a header past the post.

Burbidge would have an effort from long range, which once again Phillips was level too, as the hosts took complete control of the game.

The overlapping runs of Liam Farrugia and the ability of Santos and Gabriel Rogers gave Town plenty of problems, but they were able to keep many of the chances to just crosses and misplaced final third chances.

Tor Swann would prove a threat on the break, but his shot was easy for Shane Murphy to save.

It would be the hosts who deservedly took the lead before the break, as a cross caught Exmouth out at the back post, and Burbidge snuck in to head the ball into the bottom corner.

Town would start the second half on the front foot, starting to apply plenty of pressure to the home backline.

It would pay dividends after 54 minutes, as a Swann cross fell perfectly to Bath, and he tapped in from close range to level up proceedings.

Shaftesbury would respond, as Burbidge let fly from outside the box, and his effort looked destined for the top corner until the Exeter City loanee got a hand to it.

The game was turning into an even battle, as Ben Steer lined up Ben Griffith, and his shot was saved by Murphy.

Phillips was once again called into action, as he made a superb stop from close range and had to quickly recover, as ball hit Ollie Knowles and almost rolled into the back of the net, until the goalkeeper dived on top of it.

Griffith came even closer to finding a winner, as he fired a shot towards goal, striking the centre of the post.

Shaftesbury would continue to ask Exmouth questions, but Phillips proved to have all the answers, denying another effort from close range.

Unfortunately for Town, they would be caught on the break by a marauding Beard, who linked up with Greg Peel before firing into the bottom corner to seal an important win for the hosts.

Exmouth threw everything forward from a corner right at the death, but it would not fall to a blue shirt, and a defeat would be soon confirmed.

It was a display that Town will need to bounce back from, and they have that opportunity next Saturday, as they welcome Bashley to the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

LINE-UP: Phillips, Cann, Belsten, Morison, Landricombe, Knowles, Shipton (Slater, 79), Griffith, B.Steer (L.Steer, 68), Swann, Bath (High, 90).

SUBS NOT USED: Hill.