Devon & Exeter Premier

Hatherleigh 2

Feniton 1

HATHERLEIGH who knew they had to win to avoid any chance of relegation, started nervously and when they conceded a soft goal after ten minutes their cause was not helped.

Feniton looked lively coming forward but their defence was weak at times. Although Hatherleigh kept them at bay up front they failed to capitalise on their defensive frailties.

Stuart Dymond forced a good save from the visitor's keeper, and Andy Harnell also came close when his lob over the keeper fell just the wrong side of the bar.

The second half saw the home side take control but with several chances gone begging it looked increasingly bleak. When Simon James' snap shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar it looked like it was not going to be Hatherleigh's day.

Their persistence paid off, however, when James picked up the ball on the edge of the box and rifled it into the net.

Hatherleigh knew a point might have been good enough had results gone their way elsewhere.

They still put Feniton under pressure, but with time rapidly running out a draw looked ever more likely.

With 30 seconds remaining the home side forced a corner and when the ball was knocked in for the second time it looked as if Martin Reynolds' cross was going in. Instead, it hit the upright and bounced back off a defender for Dymond to tuck it inside the post.

Feniton took the kick-off only for the referee to blow for time and ensure that Hatherleigh play premier league football next season.