South West Peninsula division one East

Newton Abbot Spurs 4

Okehampton Argyle 3

ARGYLE put in a gutsy performance under the Spurs' new floodlights at the Recreation Ground last Friday, but were denied a point by a Newton Abbot side who took their chances well and defended strongly as Okehampton came back at them in the last half-hour.

The first half saw both sides playing good, entertaining football as the game flowed smoothly from end to end.

Argyle took the lead on 19 minutes when Matt Sanders fired a rasping low drive from the edge of the box into the corner of the home net.

Spurs immediately came back and won a free kick wide on the right, which was duly headed home by Richard Bentley.

Seven minutes before the interval, the home side took the lead when Joe Andrew's cross was forced home by Ashley Webber.

Okehampton were now being pinned back and resulted to hitting hopeful long balls for Steve Williams and Frankie Nomah-Koneh to chase, and three minutes from half-time conceded a third when Steve Mardell scored after a corner-kick was not properly dealt with by the defence.

Argyle's managers brought on Stuart Entwhistle and Chris Wills for Matt Sanders and Kev Gill at the start of the second half to increase the attacking options, but when Webber fired home a great volley for Spurs on the hour, the game looked all over.

Darren Prouse came on to replace Steve Kinsey and suddenly Okehampton turned the game in their favour.

In the last 30 minutes, they pushed Spurs back and it was no surprise when Frankie Nomah-Koneh showed great control to burst through the Newton Abbot defence and fire past the home keeper with about 20 minutes remaining.

Ten minutes later, Darren Prouse did well to play the ball wide to Nomah-Koneh, who showed great composure to race on and beat the home keeper once again for his second goal. The last 10 minutes saw a battling Argyle throw everything at Newton Abbott but that deserved equaliser just would not come.

Kel Fofala had an excellent game for Argyle in midfield where he was ably supported by the tremendous work-rate of Ricky Wooldridge.

Once again, Dan Johnston and Matt Mortimer were strong at the back and the latter will be sorely missed as a suspension sees him sit out the next three matches.

l This Saturday's fixtures: Argyle are away to Exeter Civil Service in the South West Peninsula League, away 3pm.

Argyle seconds are at home to Crediton United seconds in Devon and Exeter division four, ko 3pm and Argyle thirds are home to Priory in the Devon and Exeter division seven, ko 3pm.