Lyme Regis 1sts got off to an explosive start in their home game against Crediton United 2nds on Saturday, going 1-0 up in the sixth minute.

In-form striker Brad Rowe collected the ball just outside his own penalty box, sprinted 70 yards to the edge of the visitors' box before slotting the ball home with ease.

It was another "wonder" Rowe goal and underlines why he is attracting the attention of other clubs who compete at a higher standard.

The early set-back did not trouble the well-drilled Crediton who responded with heavy pressure on the Lyme goal keeper Will Meech who pulled off three spectacular diving saves to protect Lyme's fragile lead.

Within ten minutes Kirton were back on terms with a close-range unchallenged header from a corner and after another couple of decent saves from Meech, they went 2-1 up from another free header.

Crediton spent they rest of the first half giving the Seasiders the run-around, especially at the back, but there were no further goals before the interval.

The visitors continued to dictate after the break and went 3-1 up in the 54th minute when Meech shanked a back-pass clearance, gifting Crediton their goal.

The Seasiders rallied in a bid to get back in the picture and Mike Knight scored his first goal for Lyme with a well-placed low shot to reduce the arrears.

But any hope that they might be able to at least rescue a point was soon dispelled when Crediton made it 4-2 in the 60th minute and sealed a deserved 5-2 victory with another headed goal.

Lyme were simply outplayed in all quarters by a side that looked better than their ninth place in the Devon and Exeter Premier division but with games in hand they are likely to finish further up the table.

The defeat sees Lyme drop into fifth place but their hopes of a top-five place were helped by nearest opponents Colyton losing 3-2 to Sidmouth Town 2nds

Lyme's player/manager Robbie Fellingham described the result as "chastening" with another tough fixture away to Elmore 2nds next Saturday.

The match was sponsored by Lyme Bay Butchers whose representative Dave Holland awarded the man-of-the-match award to keeper Will Meech.

Squad: Will Meech; Alex Rowe, Gary Knight, Dan Beer, Robby Fellingham; Ben Turner, Mike Knight, Callum Garrett, Mark Bailey, Brad Rowe, Steve Batey. Sub: Jack Lamb-Wilson.

Lyme Reserves also conceded five goals away to University of Exeter 5ths in Division Three. The Ressies replied with a single goal, an impressive free-kick from Ryan Fifer. Full-back Haydn Lewis had an excellent game at right-back and deservedly won manager Wallace Blackmore's man-of-the-match award.

This coming Saturday the Ressies are at home to AFC Exeter who are in third place in Division Three.