A late Ackeem Stewart strike was the difference as Exmouth Town were beaten 1-0 by Westbury United at Meadow Lane.

It was a low-quality affair between the two sides, with chances few and far between, but the striker took his opportunity to condemn Town to defeat in the Southern League Division One South.

Exmouth had an opportunity straight after kick off, as a long-throw fell into the path of Tom Bath, but he blasted the ball over the bar.

Westbury would also prove dangerous from throw-ins, especially with Dan Restorick’s ability to make up plenty of ground with his, but they were not able to threaten Aaron Dearing in goal.

The pace of Cole Fleming would prove a problem for Exmouth, as he got in behind the Town defence but could not get a shot off on goal, with a Josh Jenkins effort forcing a save from Dearing.

Town were not clicking in attack, with their best chance of the first half coming from a Ben Griffith free-kick, which found Matt Wright on the edge of the box, with his header landing on the top of the net.

There was a penalty shout for Town just before the break, but Bevan Cross was deemed to have missed the ball in the box.

The hosts may have felt they should have been a goal to the good at half time, as a corner came to Ryan Bole at the backpost, but his header was deflected wide.

Unfortunately, it was much of the same in the second half, with neither team putting enough quality together to threaten either goalkeeper.

Westbury would have attempts on goal through Bradley Selwood, although they were wide of the mark.

It would be a substitute that made the difference, as Stewart got the better of Mike Landricombe, and fired the ball past Dearing to score what would turn out to be the winning goal.

Exmouth almost equalised instantly, as a corner ball fell at the feet of Wright, but a scramble in the box saw the ball divert just wide of the post.

The visitors would press for an equaliser, but the White Horse Men did an excellent job of closing the game out, and preventing Town from getting any momentum going.

Exmouth will have the opportunity to bounce back at home next week, as they welcome Falmouth Town to the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

Line-Up: Dearing, Cann (Crawford, 89), Landricombe, Edwards, Morcom, Shipton (Belsten, 66), Griffith (Butcher, 89), Denny, Steer, Bath (Cunningham, 66), Wright.

Subs not used: Knowles.