Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

Okehampton Argyle 1

Budleigh Salterton 1

THIS game was played on a wet slippery surface at Simmons Park, which made the ball difficult to control as it skidded off the grass.

The referee was keen to stop players sliding in with the possibility of an injury and tended to penalise every 50-50 ball involving a slide tackle resulting in a match that was seldom allowed to flow and was punctuated by yellow cards throughout.

Budleigh started off strongly and tended to play the ball long and hard whereas Argyle's approach involved shorter passing movements.

However the game was even in the early stages and both sides threatened the opposing defences in an exciting game of attacking football.

After 14 minutes, it was the visitors who took the lead. Winning a free kick 25 yards out, Josh Sale floated over a deep free kick which was powerfully headed home by Mike Hancock.

Argyle fought back and Luke Alden began to get round the away defence on the left combining well with Dave Youlden. After 25 minutes, Alden chased a long ball into the Budleigh and was yellow carded for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Okehampton got their reward for clever approach play after 33 minutes when Alden burst past two defenders on the left and crossed for Will Hawking to force the ball home from close in.

Nearing half time, the visiting keeper Pullin did well to save two powerful drives from Rob Clarke in quick succession.

After the break, Argyle dominated but Budleigh always looking dangerous on the break.

Alden came close with a brilliant run and shot down the left but Pullin managed to push it clear. After this despite Argyle's pressure, Budleigh contained the home attacks.

With ten minutes left, forward Dave Youlden was dismissed for a second yellow card for a foul.

Although the home side tried to change things by bringing on their three substitutes, that elusive winning goal would not come.

Argyle will be disappointed in dropping two points to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.

All the players gave 100% on a difficult surface with Harry Geering having a superb match in goal.