LYME Regis 1sts were just two minutes from chalking up their first win in a month at the Davey Fort yesterday (Saturday) but the point from a 2-2 draw with Sidmouth Town 2nds was enough to see them regain fourth place in the Devon Exeter League Premier division

In glorious sunshine and and a crowd of 150, the biggest of the season, this was a stern test for the Seasiders against a young and well drilled Vikings' second eleven who got off to a storming start when a hopeful punt from the half-way line caught the Lyme keeper Chris Higgs off his line after just 40 seconds play.

The visitors dominated for the next 20 minutes before centre-forward Steve Batey placed the ball wide of the post with an open goal beckoning.

Ethan Matthews had a good chance to even the scores when he shot wide after some good inter-play down the left.

But the equaliser soon came when Batey made up for his earlier miss when he headed home a perfect Robbie Fellingham corner in the 23rd minute.

That's how it stayed until the end of the half and Lyme came out strong after the break to dominate the first part of the second period. Long throw-ins from Batey caused the visitors a good deal of trouble and pressure on the Sidmouth goal was rewarded in the 64th minute when Ben Turner rose above the Vikings' defence to head home and make it 2-1.

Sidmouth's greater fitness started to pay dividends and manager Robbe Fellingham brought on fresh legs from substitutes Josh Rawlins, Luke Clifton and Will Mowbray, back in a Lyme shirt after a number of years but looking like he's lost none of his tenacity.

Lyme held out to the 88th minute before Sidmouth nicked a point with a well placed shot, much to the disappointment of the Lyme crowd.

Fellingham tried a new format of three at the back and four in midfield which seemed to work but in the end it was the fitness of the young Vikings that was the telling factor. The Lyme midfield, especially in the second half, worked hard with Calum Garrett his usual influential self. Unfortunately, Garrett was sinned binned for the last ten minutes for, allegedly, abusing the referee which he strongly denied, at a time he was badly needed as Lyme tried to hold on to their 2-1 lead.

A point was enough to see Lyme regain fourth spit with their greatest rivals Colyton not having a game after their 2-0 win over Tipton t John in the Grandisson Cup on Thursday.

To hang onto this position in the table Seasiders need to win all their remaining four matches, but this will be a touch task with leaders Alphington visiting the Davey Fort next Saturday and and away trip to Elmore under floodlights.