Exmouth Town were beaten 2-1 by fellow play-off hopefuls Bemerton Heath Harlequins at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

A Jack Thorne goal came between Joe Smith’s opener, and Brandon Mundy’s first half stoppage-time winner, with Exmouth unable to breach a resilient visiting backline in the second half.

The Harlequins started the game on the front foot, with Smith having an effort roll straight at Frankie Phillips.

As they had found out in the reverse fixture, you cannot give the number nine opportunities in the box, and the re-learned that lesson just after the ten minute mark, as Smith found himself free in the box to fire in from close range.

Exmouth would find a quick reply, as a long ball was headed on by Tom Bath, straight into the path of Thorne, who guided his header over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Thorne, who had just scored his first goal since his return from injury, was close to another as he was found in the box by Joe Belsten, although this header was off target.

Town were the team with the momentum, but were struggling to create another chance to test Ben Clark.

Bemerton Heath were still dangerous on the break, as a quick move saw Oliver Balmer go through on goal, but Phillips managed to get a fingertip to the ball to send it wide.

They would find a goal just before the break, as a corner was sent back across goal and into the path of Mundy who headed into the open goal. 

Patrick Jenkins had the first effort of the second half, which was direct at Phillips.

Exmouth would start to apply the pressure, as they hit the visitors on the break through Luke Steer, who found Thorne, who played in Ace High but his shot was deflected over.

A corner bounced into the path of Steer but he could not get a clean strike at it which allowed Clark to collect.

Ben Steer was next to have a go, with a superb volley striking the side netting.

A long-throw in bounced in the box to Steer, but he once again was unable to direct a shot past Clark.

Another ball came into the box which found B.Steer, and his header found the grateful arms of Clark.

Town would have a string of corners, but Bemerton Heath were always there to get the first contact and clear away.

Exmouth must put the disappointment behind them quickly, as they host Falmouth Town on Saturday.  

ATTENDANCE: 230

LINE-UP: Phillips, Cann (Steer, 66), Belsten, Landricombe (Morison, 46), Knowles, Shipton, L.Steer, Griffith, Bath (High, 49), Thorne (Swann, 74).

SUBS NOT USED: Rowe.