Exmouth Town fought valiantly, but were beaten 3-1 by an in-form Winchester City side at the Charters Community Stadium.

An audacious effort from Dan Bradshaw opened the scoring, but straight after Aarron Denny’s second half equaliser, Town were caught out immediately, as Jez Bedford put the hosts back in front.

Exmouth had chances to level, but it was Ashton Palmier who sealed victory for the Citizens in stoppage time.

Town were forced into an early change before kick-off, as injury to Chris Wright meant that Martin Rice made his first Town appearance in goal.

It would the hosts that struck first, as a superb pass from Connor Barron found Bradshaw, and he lobbed the goalkeeper from outside the box to open the scoring.

Town would eventually deal with the home pressure, and have an effort cleared off the line as a floating Ace High header was met by Barron.

Exmouth would start to get back into the game, but lacked the final ball to punish the Winchester defence, whilst the hosts were able to find space on the break, with last-ditch defending from Mike Landricombe and Jacob Shore preventing any clear-cut chances.

Ollie Balmer would have a great opportunity to make it two from a free-kick, but his effort struck the post and bounced across goal.

High would have his second header cleared off the line, as he got ahead of Tommy Scott, but once again was denied on the goalline.

The second half would continue to be an even encounter, but it was the hosts who looked more likely to score, as Rice made a great save to deny a second Winchester goal.

Town were gifted a way back into the game, as Scott gave the ball away to Denny, who slotted into the open goal to level the game up.

Bradley Waters came close to beating the goalkeeper with a first time effort, but it rolled just wide of the right post.

This would last for around 30 seconds, as straight from kick-off, Jaheim Dotse would run at the Town defence and fire a shot at Rice, which was well-saved, but fell straight to Bedford who fired home.

It was a big blow for Town, who were now looking for a third consecutive 2-2 draw, and they would come close, with Butcher firing at Scott, who matched it well.

The goalkeeper would make an even better save moments later, as Butcher’s effort looked goalbound until Scott got his fingertips to it, sending the ball onto the crossbar.

Town would push for an equaliser, but were caught on the break, with the ball falling to an unmarked Palmier, and his superb finish left Rice with no chance.

There were plenty of positives to take for Exmouth, and they will look to take that into next Saturday’s game against Didcot Town, at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

Line-Up: Rice, Shipton, Morcom, Landricombe, Shore, Knowles, Denny, Slater, Griffith (Hawkins, 85), B.Steer, High (Butcher, 74).

Subs not used: Rowe, Hill.