WHEN Lyme Regis Reserves travelled to Willand to meet Bravehearts earlier in the season, they started with ten men, conceded five early goals and were beaten 7-1.

It was a different story in the reverse fixture at the Davey Fort on Saturday. Wallace Blackmore's rejuvenated side competed in every department against their Mid Devon opponents and were unlucky to lose 2-1 after dominating most of the second half.

There was little between the two teams in the first half, although Lyme could have scored in the opening minutes when Pete Peacock latched on to a long ball from centre-back Stu Brown but could not connect cleanly with just the keeper to meet.

Bravehearts looked lively up front and keeper Will Meech was forced to pull off two excellent saves to keep the Seasiders in then picture.

Peacock was in the thick of things again when he just failed to get a boot to a great cross from Ethan Matthews before the veteran striker was helped off the pitch with a hamstring, which is likely to keep him out for a few weeks . to be replaced by first teamer Cam Fowler, who is regaining his fitness after an ankle injury.

The sides went in at half-time at 0-0 but the second half belonged to Lyme. Mathews and Josh Daines, two of the club's most promising young players, combined well and always looked dangerous in front of goal.

Lyme conceded the first goal after a defensive lapse in the 64th minute, very much against the run of play, but they got back one terms when Robbie Fowler was brought down in the box and Daines cooly slotted home from the penalty spot to make it 1-1.

The Lyme back four, marshalled by Stu Broom, stood strong and Robbie Fowler ran his heart out as usual in. midfield. Full-back Haydyn Lewis was also full of running. 

With the minutes ticking by it looked as though Lyme would get a well earned point but a poor clearance in defence allowed Bravehearts to sneak the winner in the 84th minute.

Jack Durrant, back in a Lyme shirt after a break of several years, grows in stature with every game as his fitness improves and won his manager's man-of-the-match awards, although there were several other candidates.