Exmouth Town will go into 2024 with a boost in confidence following a successful holiday period where they have closed the gap at the foot of the table but are still three points adrift of safety, writes John Dibsdall.

After a run of nine games since their only League victory of the season, Town finally made it two wins when a strong all-round performance gave them a thoroughly deserved 4-2 victory at Evesham.

Aarron Denny opened his goal scoring account for the season and, as Town maintained their early pressure, Ethan Slater rammed the ball home after Evesham failed to clear a corner.

Whilst the hosts pulled a goal back before the break, Exmouth made the perfect start to the second half with Denny bringing down a lofted cross, swivelling and planting a left-foot volley into the roof of the net.

A well worked free-kick routine reduced the deficit but the two-goal lead was soon restored when Louis Morison drilled the set-piece into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.

Town welcomed Mousehole on Boxing Day and, whilst they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw, an attacking first-half performance saw them go into the break two goals to the good.

A superb cross-field pass by Slater found Nelson Iscguan in space to outpace his marker and open the scoring before Denny notched from close range on the stroke of half time.

Mousehole, on their day, are arguably one of the best footballing sides in the Division and showed patience and composure throughout the second half.

They pulled a goal back within a couple of minutes of the restart and, whilst Callum Shipton saw his drive shave the outside of the post, the equaliser came on 80 minutes. Mousehole seemed more likely to go on and win the game, but Town dug deep to earn another precious point.

Their scheduled game last Saturday at Bideford fell victim of the weather but it doesn’t get any easier, as Town welcome Wimborne Town to their Circle of Care Community Stadium this Saturday, kick off 3.00pm. Heading into the New Year, the Dorset side top the table but Town drew the reverse fixture and came out on top in an FA Trophy tie, winning a penalty shoot-out.