Axminster Town are hanging on to their sixth place in the South West Peninsular League despite losing to bottom place Bridport over the Christmas period.

The 3-1 defeat by the Bees, under new manager Chris Herbst, came as a bit of a shock to the Tigers, who took the lead through the irrepressible Jamie Price. But the Dorset side, relegated last season from the Western League, thoroughly deserved the three points which lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Axminster were hoping to have made amends in their local derby Honiton Town on December 31 but the game was called off due to the weather. They now have to wait until Saturday, January 14 when they are at home to Torridgeside who are down in 12th place in the division.

Manager Dan Prettejohn. will be anxious to see his side return to winning ways to maintain the Tigers' place in the top six with Teignmouth hot on their heels, trailing by a point but with two games in hand. Bovey Tracey, down in ninth place, could also be a threat as they have two games in hand over Axminster who have a three point advantage.

A big challenge on the horizon for the Tigers is their home game on January 21 against Brixham who have games in hand and are challenging for a top three spot.