LYME Regis 1sts got off to a explosive start scoring in the first minute away to Devon and Exeter Premier opponents Sidmouth Town 2nds but failed to come home with three points after the Vikings scored two quick goals just before half-time.

The Seasiders' first-minute goal came when Brad Rowe chased down a long ball out of defence from Dan Beer to slot the ball home.

There was very little between the two sides despite Lyme's advantageous league position and the young Sidmouth squad soon recovered from their early set-back, putting the Seasiders under pressure with keeper Chris Higgs forced into two diving saves and centre back Dan Beer clearing off the goal line.

Brad Rowe had an opportunity to increase the Lyme lead after he latched onto another Beer long ball but his shot drifted wide of the post.

Midfielder Mark Bailey also shot wide before the home team completed the half with two goals in two minutes to go in at the break with a 2-1 advantage somewhat against the run of play.

In a frantic last-minute to the first half another Brad Rowe effort, this time from a dangerous Alex Rowe cross, was thwarted

The second half started with both sides going close, Ethan Matthews shooting wide, and the post preventing the Vikings increasing their lead.

Lyme's equaliser came in the 75th minute when centre-forward Steve Batey rifled the ball home after an Alex Rowe cross rebounded off the bar.

Sidmouth landed the winner in the 79th minute and despite some intense late pressure from Lyme, the home side held firm for victory.

For Lyme it was good to see three promising young players - Ethan Matthews, Josh Rawlins and Josh Daines - playing their part with Rawlins in particular developing into classy full-back, encouraged by new appointed assistant manager Luke Clifton from whom he should greatly benefit.

Dan Beer was outstanding once again in the middle of the back-tour but Callum Garrett was picked out by player-manager Robbie Fellingham as man-of-the-match for yet another stellar midfield performance.

Reserves hit five second half goals

Fielding a full squad, somewhat of a rarity this season, Lyme Regis Reserves needed three points from their home match against Chagford, bottom of Division Three, to relieve their own relegation fears.

The sides went in at 0-0 at half-time after a typical dour bottom-of-the table battle. But manager Wallace Blackmore changed things around for the second half, bringing on veteran striker Pete Peacock and first team full-back Cam Fowler, his first run-out after injury, with Ben Bowditch moving midfield.

The substitutions transformed Lyme who banged in five goals in the second half, two from veteran goal-poacher Pete Peacock , with Fred Thomson, Cam Fowler and Robbie Fowler also getting on the scoresheet. Peacock is now just one short of 240 goals scored for the Seasiders.

Manager Blackmore had number of options for his man-of-the-match award and whilst paying tribute to a great all-round team performance in the second half, he went for the ever-reliable Darius Pickering.

League-wise, Lyme are not out of the woods yet. They lie in 10th place in the 13-team division but have played more games than the three teams below them.