Devon & Exeter Premier

Okehampton Argyle 3

St Martins 1

AFTER dropping three valuable points at Witheridge the previous week, Argyle were looking to get back into the promotion race by taking maximum points from mid-table St Martins.

With Tap and Barrell well clear at the top, it is developing into a three-horse race between Cullompton, Seaton and Argyle for that important second place.

In only the second minute Adam Mortimer was sent crashing to the ground just inside the visitors? penalty area by a crunching tackle by Hackworthy. But despite appeals the referee waved play on.

Mortimer continued to cause the St Martins? defence problems with his speed and tenacity. After seven minutes he won a 50-50 tackle to cross the ball for Danny Maddax to side-foot home, only for it to be disallowed for an earlier foul.

The same combination proved successful twinned in another pinpoint cross to put Argyle deservedly ahead.

St Martins then forced several corners in quick succession. Shaun Sandercock in Argyle?s goal was in excellent form, first diving to his left to turn a shot around the post, then at full stretch to tip an even better one over the bar.

St Martins continued to push forward in the second half and were a little unlucky not to score when a free kick was headed just wide.

Argyle gave themselves a bit of a cushion when a quick break ten minutes into the half saw a cross come back off the upright for Steve Williams to force over the line to put them two up.

Midway through the half Mike Vernon came to Argyle?s rescue, heading an inswinging corner off the line with Sandercock stranded at the near post.

But with 15 minutes to go Argyle?s luck ran out. Stuart Cann was judged to have fouled Daw, when they jumped for the same ball. Although Shaun Sandercock got a hand to Rees Parker?s penalty he could not prevent it entering the net.

St Martins saw their chance to salvage something from the game and Argyle were doing all they could to help them by losing some self control. A couple of bookings and a sending off for retaliation almost cost them dearly, but Mortimer helped to calm things down when he broke through in the closing seconds to score a fine individual goal.

St Martins will be looking to revenge the result this week when the two sides meet again at Exminster, kick-off 3pm.