SWPL premier division

Exmouth Town 1,

Ivybridge Town 1

Ivybridge face an im­posing task this weekend when they travel across the Tamar to Godolphin Atlantic, who are in fine form of late having turned over title favourites St Aus­tell twice in a month writes Tim Leigh.

Ivybridge Town general manager Brian Howard was expecting a hard match, saying: 'They're riding high at the moment, they beat St Austell in the league last weekend after having beaten them in the cup, so we know it's going to be a very difficult game.

'Still, you've got to go to these places, and we played very well when we went down to St Austell, so we need more of the same. Good news is we've got no injuries to worry about and Lee Doel is available.'

Howard was pleased with a hard-earned point gained last week when they visited Exmouth Town, particularly after they went a man down with just 20 minutes played.

He said: 'It was a good point considering Lee Doel was sent off early on. I thought it was a very harsh decision and should have been a yellow, but their players surrounded the referee.

'Even after that we had the better chances, their 'keeper made three or four very good saves. Overall I'm pleased with the result, the team played well and you can't ask for more than that.'

Ivybridge dominated the first half despite the red card, and it was no surprise when they took the lead on half an hour.

The Exmouth 'keeper fouled Josh Zimmer­man in the area and Todd Hanrahan step­ped up to dispatch the spot-kick with ease.

The score remained 1-0 at half-time, though striker Steve Sutton had two good chances to increase the visitors' lead.

Ivybridge continued to make light of their numerical disadvantage, the home stopper making two more good saves before the lack of numbers finally told.

Exmouth broke upfield and after a shot rattled the crossbar, the home side's striker was the first to react, levelling the scores.

With three minutes left Ivybridge had one last chance to win it, Joe Truelove standing up an inch-perfect cross which substitute Jack Alexander failed to turn in, the Exmouth 'keeper making one final excellent save.