Devon & Exeter League

Premier Division

Exeter Civil Service 5

Okehampton Argyle 2

ON a sunny afternoon it was a pity Argyle's play did not match the weather.

Although they defended well and battled for every ball throughout the first 45 minutes, they were a little unlucky to concede a goal in injury time and go off one down at the break.

Early play was quite even, with Robbie Sandercock making the first break for Argyle, but shooting over the bar when well placed.

The return of Adam Mortimer for the first time this season was welcome, but it will take time for him to find his old form. Nevertheless, he worked hard and blended in well with Miller up front.

The Civil Service goal in the dying second of injury time came after Sean Sandercock had made a great one-handed save, only for the ball to fall nicely for Neil Baker to ram it straight back in.

At the start of the second half Argyle pushed forward for the equaliser and Robbie Miller's snap-shot was only just wide of the far upright.

But on 50 minutes a quick through-ball from Civil Service caught Argyle's defence square to see Vic Murphy race through from the half-way line to shoot home in the top corner.

Okehampton pulled one back almost from the restart. An attack down the left flank and cross into the box, saw a scrambled clearance roll out to Lloyd Chapman who blasted a shot into the net.

This put some hope into Argyle and for the next ten minutes they enjoyed their best spell of the match.

Williams and Sandercock both had shots blocked and Mortimer went close with a glancing header.

Civil Service regained control. A further three goals from Murphy, in a devastating ten minute spell, left Argyle wondering what had hit them.

It was just a case of playing out time, and although Chris Dearing headed in a corner five minutes from time to make the score more respectable, the final whistle could not come quick enough.

This defeat drops Argyle into the bottom three of the league, with only Sidmouth and neighbours Hatherleigh below them.

This week Argyle take a welcome break from league action when they entertain senior one side Axminster Town in the East Devon Senior Cup, second round, kick-off 2pm.