Axmouth United met Exeter based Newtown for the third time in as many weeks and, just as the previous encounters, they came out second best.

Of light relief to United boss Laurie Forino would have been the fact that, once again there was little between the sides, but, on this occasion, two goals inside the final nine minutes settled the tie in favour of the visitors.

The Exeter side started at great pace and twice, in the early stages United keeper James Goodhew had to be at his very best to deny them the lead. At the other end Charlie Clarke was denied a goal when his header cannoned back off an upright.

In the 23rd minute Newtown took the lead but United battled back and it was no more than their efforts warranted when a superb Jamie Hughes cross was headed home by Clarke to send the sides into the break at 1-1.

The second half saw United enjoy the greater share of the ball, but, chances at either end, were very much at a premium. In the 81st minute a ball across the edge of the area was met in great style with a first time finish into the top corner to put the visitors ahead.

United responded well and pressed I search of a second leveller but were caught on the with Newtown netting a third in the closing stages.

Boss Laurie Forino said: “It’s disappointing, not to say hard to take, that we have again been edged out in a contest that we contributed much to. The difference was simply that they were far more clinical than us with their finishing. They (Newtown) are an impressive outfit but it as a measure of our strengths that, in three successive meetings we have not once been totally outplayed and that augers well for the remainder of our season.”

On Saturday United are in Devon Intermediate Cup action with an East Area Third Round tie at home to UAU Exeter (2pm).