LYME Regis first team booked their place in the second round of the East Devon Senior Cup with a comfortable 3-2 win over Tipton St John at the Davey Fort this afternoon (Saturday).

The ground conditions prevented too much free- flowing football and the Seasiders failed to replicate last week's exciting display in a 4-3 win at Beer Albion, although there was no lack of scoring chances.

Had Lyme taken all their opportunities, it could have been a rugby score but credit to Tipton, managed by former Exeter City hero Steve Flack, the Devon and Exeter Division Two side caused a few hectic moments in the Lyme defence.

Lyme started strongly and were 1-0 up in seven minutes when Fred Parsons was presented with an easy close-range tap-in after good interchange between Callum Garrett and Mark Bailey.

The East Devon villagers were back on equal terms when the Lyme defence was caught napping in the 16th minute.

For the rest of the half it was all Lyme with Joe Bond and Fred Parsons going close. At the other end, Gary Knight had to clear off his line to protect their lead.

The best chance fell to Joe Bond who placed the ball wide after a great run from Parsons. Bond then clashed with the visiting keeper in a goal-mouth skirmish.

The link up between Parsons and Bond was causing the visitors all sorts of problem and just before half time Bond blazed the ball over the bar from another pin-point pass from Parsons.

The Seasiders cemented their superiority in a blistering opening two minutes to the second half when Parsons provided the ball for Bond to bury in carbon-copy goals to make it 3-2.

Fleck brought himself on in the 50th minute and showed at the age of 50 he has lost none of his competitiveness. The former Grecian's presence immediately rallied his troops and the Lyme keeper, Chris Higgs, had to pull off a full-length dive to keep the score at 3-1.

Parsons' surging runs continued to trouble the Tipton defence. The Lyme talisman headed over from a Bailey corner, substitute Brad Rowe shot wide from outside the box and Bond narrowly missed his hat-trick when he latched onto a penetrating pass from Robbie Fellingham, swivelled and then blasted over the bar.

Bailey also went close when he curled the ball over the bar and in the final seconds of the game he headed over the bar from a Parsons' cross.

It was a stellar performance from one of the most sought after players in local football and if he steers clear from injuries, and rebuts approaches from other clubs playing at a higher standard, he will undoubtedly play a big part in Lyme's bid to improve their league position in the second half of the season.

Bond looks the more dangerous every time he plays and was unfortunate not to have got his hat-trick with his aggressive running up front.

Lyme have been drawn against Premier division opponents Lapford, currently leading the table, in the second round of the East Devon Senior Cup.