Budleigh Salterton Town, still missing a number of players, were always in the game before going down to Plymouth Marjon who currently hold second place in the Devon League.
The Plymouth outfit took the lead on thirteen minutes when a corner was only cleared as far as George Warren and he fired the ball into the net.
Budleigh pressed for the rest of the first half and came close to an equaliser when Charlie Skinner headed a corner against the woodwork.
Liam Donovan headed Marjon into a 2-0 lead just before the break and then moved further ahead early in the second half when Jack Martin scored from the penalty spot after a foul in the box.
Following the use of substitutes and a change in the pattern of play, Budleigh earned a consolation goal when Morgan Pearce set up Oscar Walsh whose effort was fumbled into the net by the visiting goalkeeper.
A hotly disputed offside decision robbed Beer Albion of a league point on their visit to Newtown.
It has rarely proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Albion and this was to be no exception as they conceded two goals because of mistakes early on.
They got themselves back in the game though, especially from set pieces, and it was Billy Knox who reduced the arrears when he fired in through a crowd of bodies following a corner.
Beer pressed for a leveller but they were then caught on the break as Newtown moved into a 3-1 lead.
The response from the visitors was instant as an accurate cross from Liam Cox was headed home by Taylor Rooke to make it 3-2.
With twenty minutes left, Tony Pinder got the ball into the net but the linesman raised a flag and after consultation the referee stuck with the offside decision.
Beer piled on the pressure although having a player sin-binned during the closing stages but despite creating a number of chances they were kept out by some desperate defending.
Albion’s Man of the Match was skipper Charle Ledger for his solid defensive performance.
“We were hugely aggrieved at how the game panned out but despite that it’s down to ourselves for conceding such poor goals and not taking our chances,” Beer manager Mark Rooke told the Herald.
Seb Copp scored the vital goal as Ottery St. Mary progressed to the next stage of the Devon League Cup against Plymstock United.
The Otters, who fielded a young side, missed a host of chances in the first half as honours finished even at the break.
During the second period, heavy Ottery pressure was finally rewarded when a through ball cut open the visitors’ defence and Copp was able to slide in the only goal of the game.
Man of the Match for the Otters was Jake Blackmore.
This Saturday (October 5) all three Devon League clubs are involved in County Cup matches. Budleigh Salterton entertain Kingsteignton United while Beer Albion and Ottery St. Mary travel to Ipplepen Athletic and St.Martins respectively.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here