Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one east

Newton Abbot Spurs 2

Okehampton Argyle 3

ARGYLE went into this game at the Recreation Ground on the back of two narrow defeats, but returned to winning ways courtesy of a fine first half performance and a strong rear guard action when put under pressure late in the match.

Despite missing a handful of key players, Argyle welcomed back Matt Sanders and Brad Ausden from university; it was Ausden who had the best chance in the opening minutes when his low shot was well saved by Niall Herbert.

Argyle continued to dominate the early proceedings with Newton Abbot's Tom Sercombe and player manager Adam Dyson always dangerous on the counter attack.

Argyle took the lead in the 16th minute when Brad Ausden received the ball in space 25 yards out and struck a sweet right foot drive into the bottom corner.

Newton Abbot responded well with Tom Sercombe having an effort blocked and Chris Metters was unlucky to see a looping header go just over the crossbar.

Argyle were still causing problems for the home defence with Ross Voaden making penetrating runs into the penalty area and Brad Ausden finding himself in plenty of space between the lines.

Argyle increased their lead on the half hour when one such run from Ross Voaden was halted on the edge of the penalty area and Brad Ausden despatched the resulting free kick into the top corner.

Despite some late first half pressure, Argyle took their 2-0 lead into the break.

Newton Abbot came out for the second half with three players up top and as such took a more direct approach with balls played into the Argyle penalty area at every opportunity.

Argyle's Aaron Dearing had already made one smart save when Newton Abbot pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute after Shaun Bowden's corner fell kindly for Adam Dyson to lash the ball home from close range.

Newton Abbot were now dominating possession as they went in search of an equaliser and Aaron Dearing was called upon to make another good save, low to his right from Tom Sercombe.

It was much against the run of play that Argyle restored their two goal cushion on the hour when Tallan Burns played in Jason Cordice and the Argyle striker rounded Niall Herbert and finished from the acutest of angles.

Newton Abbot continued to press and they were rewarded in the 80th minute when Adam Dyson outdid Brad Ausden's double in the first half when he fired an even better free kick past Aaron Dearing to set up a tense finish.

The home side piled everyone forward with centre half Chris Metters now permanently up front and they were nearly caught out when Argyle's Adam Mortimer was sent racing clear but his touch was slightly too heavy and Niall Herbert saved at his feet.

Newton Abbot had one last chance to equalise in the final minute, but when Shaun Bowden's cross went harmlessly wide the referee blew for time.

The win lifts Argyle back into ninth place with games in hand on those teams around them but they now have two blank weeks before two fixtures over the Easter weekend.