Axminster Town bounced back from a disappointing defeat by local rivals Honiton Town with a hard-fought point from a 2-2 draw away to Holsworthy.

The draw sees the Tigers in third place in the South West Peninsular Premier East division with ten points from their first five games.

Whilst manager Dan Prettejohn was pleased to come away with a point from the previously unbeaten Holsworthy, and five regulars missing from his side, he was left incensed by a bizarre refereeing decision which could have cost them the game.

With the score at 1-1, Axminster's goal coming from a Keiran Daniels, keeper Jason Hutchings saved with his feet and the ball went out for what the Axe players thought was a corner. A home player then told the referee that the ball had gone through a hole in the netting. The linesman, who was nowhere near the goal line, was consulted and a goal was given.

Hutchings remonstrated with the referee and was adamant the ball was not diverted into his own net but was sinned binned for ten minutes, during which time full-back Dan Scadden had to go in goal. Prettejohn was also yellow carded after protesting strongly.

Prettejohn brought on Josh Wadham, who was on the bench because he was nursing an achillies problem, and it was during this period that a Charlie Wilson goal put the Tigers back on terms.

In fact, Axminster finished the stronger of the two sides and Wadham was unlucky when a superb effort rebounded off the frame of the goal.

Axminster are back in action on Wednesday evening (September 1) at home to Elmore, who have won two of their five games (kick-off 7.30pm).

Axminster Reserves, having succumbed in midweek to a 3-1 defeat against Beer Albion, got their first points of the season with 1-0 win over Ottery St Mary 2nds, their goal coming from manager Jamie Barfoot. On Saturday they are at home to Elmore 2nds (kick-off 3 pm).