Despite making four changes to the starting line-up from last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Malvern Town, Exmouth Town are still seeking their first home league win of the season after losing 1-0 to Bashley, writes John Dibsdall.

Bashley themselves came into the match on a winless run of nine but, in a game largely controlled by the defences, scored the all-important goal on 62 minutes to ease their own relegation worries.

The first half saw both sides struggle to maintain control of the ball with too many passes going astray. Chris Wright in the Exmouth goal was untroubled and Town’s main threats came from Aarron Denny but, apart from a couple of half-chances that were denied by the defenders, the opposition ‘keeper did not have a save of note to make.

Town started the second half in the ascendency with Ben Steer forcing a decent save before they conceded the opening goal. A free-kick on the edge of the penalty area somehow found its way past the wall to nestle in the corner of the goal.

As Town tried to counter, the play became more open with Josh Cann’s 30-yard drive being denied by a strong save but Wright also had to be at his best to keep the deficit to a single goal.

The half-time thoughts were that a single goal would be enough to win the game and so it proved.

This was Town’s ninth defeat at home from 12 games and, on their latest performances, you are left wondering when the next win will come as the fight to avoid relegation becomes increasingly difficult.

After the midweek meeting with promotion-seeking Bideford, on Saturday they make the trip to Bristol Manor Farm, who are also on a good run of form and have climbed to seventh in the table.

Exmouth Journal: Exmouth v Bashley