Exmouth Town were defeated 1-0 by Southern League Premier South Tiverton Town, in an evenly matched game at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

The game, played in blistering conditions, was decided by a second half Aidan Horne goal.

It was a cagey affair to begin with, as a last-ditch Mike Landricombe tackle denying the closest thing to a shot in the early exchanges.

Town did almost net the goal of pre-season, as Ben Griffith spotted George Burton off his line and attempted a lob, and while the height was good, the effort was just wide.

Exmouth would come even closer to scoring moments later, as Landricombe rose above his man to head onto the bar.

Joe Belsten was called into action after the half hour mark, with his clearance denying the visitors an opening goal.

Ethan Slater had a curling effort go over, but it was an understandably quiet first half when considering the conditions.

Jacob Wellington would have the first attempt of the second half, but it drifted wide of the mark.

Dave Rowe would register a shot on target for Town, with his header being easy for Burton to hold.

Straight from that chance, Tiverton put themselves in front, with Horne beating Ben Jeffrey to the ball and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

The hosts would have their best chance of the game through Ben Steer, who was looking to add to his pre-season tally, but his shot struck the underside of the bar and bounced away.

Ed Butcher would have a first time shot in the aftermath, but it was always rising over the bar.

Jeffrey, who was a late change into the team before kick-off, denied the Yellows a second, standing firm to stop a shot from close range.

It was a tough battle for Town, who matched Tiverton all the way, and they will look forward to a different test next Friday, as they take on Stoke U23s (7:45pm KO).

Attendance: 229

Squad List: Jeffrey, Belsten, Cann, Landricombe, Shore, Slater, Shipton, Griffith, Kennell, L.Steer, Wright, McCue, Rowe, Boncheski, B.Steer, Butcher.