THE Axminster Town revival continued as the Tigers bagged a richly deserved point from a 1-1 draw with visiting Bickleigh.

Indeed, it is a measure of the new wave of optimism sweeping through Sector Lane, that the Tigers emerged from the game feeling they deserved more than a mere share of the spoils!

With the wind against them in the first half, the Tigers worked tirelessly to close down the Mid Devon opposition and the sides went into the break at 0-0.

As the second half got under way, the wind strength weakened considerably. The game was being played out, in the main, in the middle third, but it was the visiting side who went ahead after 70 minutes when they seized on a defensive error.

Six weeks ago that would have been the signal for the Tigers to lie down and await their fate, but not now!

They threw everything at the visitors and only the depth of the cross bar prevented Ben Turner levelling things up when his shot cannoned back off the frame of the goal.

It was no more than the hosts deserved when, in the 88th minute, Richie Emmett tucked the ball away from close range to ensure honours ended even.

Tigers’ boss, Nick Ogden, said: “The point was, frankly, less than we deserved for our 90 minute shift. I thought we were the better team throughout, but, having said that, five weeks ago, that was a game we would have lost after falling behind. The players deserve a lot of credit for not giving in, or panicking, and such is the spirit now that we were able to take that blow and get back onto our feet. I have the utmost respect for these boys. Terry Emmett was superb but even his mighty effort was surpassed by those of Ben Turner and Jamie Barfoot who were imperious. Now I want this team to break their away duck and get that first on the road victory.”

The visit to University on Saturday offers such an opportunity to Town to record an away league win.