A depleted Exmouth Town fell to a 1-0 defeat against Bishops Cleeve at Everyone’s Energy Kayte Lane, thanks to a 33rd minute header from Matt Liddiard.

It was a spirited display from Town against their fellow Southern League Division One South play-off chasers, who tested the Mitres backline, but were unable to create the all-important equaliser. 

The hosts started much the stronger but struggled to penetrate Town’s low block, resorting to multiple potshots that never really tested Aaron Dearing in the Town net.

Mike Landricombe had Town’s only real effort of the first half, diverting a header wide of the mark from a corner. 

The Mitres found a breakthrough thanks to a well delivered out corner from their star of the show Toby Holland, whose sumptuous ball was met by the head of Liddiard who powered home from 10 yards out.

Town rallied late in the first half and this set the scene for a much improved second half, with Town coming out of their shell and asserting themselves further up the pitch.

Town’s possession didn’t result in anything clear cut and it was the hosts who had the biggest chance of the half, striker Jack Watts failed to capitalise on some good fortune and struck the post after finding himself 1 on 1 with Dearing.

This reprieve sparked Town into life, who took control of the game and put together a few good moves that were just short of a final pass.

Exmouth would enjoy a spell of corners, but struggled to find the delivery nor the finishing touch to make those chances pay.

A late Ollie Knowles free kick was saved by Lewis Clayton, and Town couldn’t make anything from the follow-up.

Knowles and Ryan Crawford in particular drove Town forward late on, but the hosts held on relatively comfortably to see out a deserved 1-0 win.

Town now move their attention onto Swindon Supermarine at The Complete Infrastructure Stadium on Saturday 13th December as they look to turn things around after three defeats on the bounce.

Exmouth Town XI: Dearing, Morcom (83′, Crawford), Cann, Knowles, Shore, Landricombe (C), Denny, Shipton, Butcher (65’, McCue), Slater, Steer.

Unused substitutes: Rice, Kraus, Hill

Match report written by Lee Smith