An early Tahvon Campbell goal saw Exmouth Town beaten by Yeovil Town, in the first pre-season friendly of the 25/26 campaign.

It was an encouraging performance from the hosts, who more than matched their National League opposition, and were able to create chances of their own.

The visitors opened the scoring after eight minutes, with an Alex Whittle cross finding Campbell, who was able to flick the ball over Aaron Dearing from close range.

Exmouth registered their first chance moments later, with Aarron Denny curling a long-ranged effort over the bar.

It should have been two for the Glovers, when James Daly picked out Trialist, but his shot struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced out.

Town would have a good opportunity to level the game through a corner, which Mike Landricombe met but could not divert under the bar.

Matt Wright was keeping the Yeovil centre-backs occupied, and that allowed Denny to have a decent chance on goal, but his run was slightly too early for the linesman’s liking.

Brett McGavin would test Dearing from a free-kick, but the former Tavistock goalkeeper would pass it with flying colours.

The hosts best chance of the first 45 would come through Ben Griffith, as he received the ball on the left-hand side, although his shot was easy for Aidan Stone to collect.

Yeovil would start the second half with an entirely new 11, and Town tried to capitalise on that when Josh Cann picked out Ben Steer, but his finish provided no test for Matt Gould.

Ed Butcher would have his first shot in Exmouth colours as he got in behind the Glovers defence, with Gould coming out to make a strong stop.

Dearing was once again busy as he denied both Harvey Greenslade and Trialist, before making the save of the game from the former’s free kick.

Yeovil had a good chance from a corner to make it two right at the death, but the defender headed over.

It was a resilient display from Town, where they can take plenty of positives into their next friendly, as they host Plymouth Parkway on Tuesday (KO 7:30pm).

ATTENDANCE – 676

Squad List – Dearing, Morcom, Belsten, Knowles, Shore, Landricombe, Denny, Shipton, Wright, McCue, Griffith, Cann, Rowe, Butcher, B.Steer, Kennell, Jeffrey, Slater, High.