STOP PRESS: As the Times was about to go to press it was confirmed that Tavistock have secured second spot in the Carlsberg South Western League ? their best ever showing.

The Lambs confirmed the runners-up spot without kicking a ball ? third-placed Porthleven lost 4-1 on Tuesday night to leaders St Blazey and have no hope of catching the West Devon side. Tavistock have 77 points and Porthleven have 73 with one game left to play.

Tavistock become the first Devon club to finish in the top two of the league for almost 40 years.

Congratulations to all at the club from the Times ? here?s to the top spot next season!

Carlberg

South Western League

Tavistock 2

St Blazey 2

THE Lambs got the vital point against the champions with a great team performance at Langsford Park last Wednesday.

A good run and low cross by Will Westlake in the early minutes for the Lambs saw Simon Parnell just fail to get to the ball, but it showed the intent of the home side.

St Blazey, bristling with quality, soon got into their stride, going into the lead after 17 minutes with a deep cross from Matt Penry for Steve Daly to get up and glance a header in off a post.

Parnell shot past a post on 26 minutes and the Saints should have increased their lead five minutes later when Mike Southgate broke clear with just Andy Meeds to beat. But his shot lacked power and the keeper dived low to smother his effort.

The Lambs were back on level terms five minutes into the second half as they were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. The Saints defence were caught napping as Paul Smith?s low free kick hit the back of the net before they were prepared.

The leveller spurred them on but on the hour they almost went behind. Mark Gammon?s shot from inside the area was brilliantly blocked by Meeds only to hit a St Blazey forward and the ball cannoned off the crossbar for the keeper to get possession.

The Lambs found themselves a goal down again as Darren Babb was judged to have fouled Glyn Hooper in the area with Daly getting his second from the spot. But with 12 minutes of the game left they got back on level terms when from a throw in Doncaster sent in an overhead kick and Gosling rose above the defence to send in a header to beat Sid Taylor.

Tavistock became just the fourth side to hold the champions to a draw this season.

Joint manager Craig Smith said after the game: ?It was a great all round team performance and we deserved to get something out of the game.?

Saltash 3

Tavistock 1

THE Lambs went into the game knowing three points would secure second spot. But a second half hat-trick from Ross Saint left them with an agonising wait as Porthleven would need four points to pip them at the post.

On eight minutes the Ashes found themselves a man down with Jake Benney receiving his marching orders after an off-the-ball incident with Cole. With the man advantage they should have over-run the home side but could not break them down.

Will Westlake was robbed of the ball in the area on the half-hour and Tavistock?s best chance fell to Craig Hodge just prior to the interval when he glanced his header wide from a Cole corner.

Early in the second half Meeds did well to save from a Paul Maddern shot as the home side broke quickly from defence, and on the hour they took the lead when Paul Sidey was fouled in the area for Saint to get his first.

Six minutes later a Lambs attack broke down and the Ashes? quick counter attack saw Saint receive a pass from Paul Baker to get his second.

The Lambs got a goal back with seven minutes remaining when Lee Doncaster headed home a Brownlow cross but it turned out as a consolation. Saint completed his treble with two minutes left with another quick breakout from defence.