Honiton Town had to settle for a share of the spoils when they drew 2-2 with Topsham Town as their Fresha league campaign resumed after a lengthy weather-induced break.

It was the Tops who began the better and, with the Hippos clearly struggling to find any cohesion, scored twice to hold a healthy advantage.

The impressive Joe Mulhall fired Town back into contention and the same player so nearly had the Hippos level by the break, but his stunning strike fro fully 30 yards just arrowed its way over the target.

Town were forced into a second half re-shuffle with defender Ryan Gibb falling ill, but, even with a re-shaped back line and three of the Town team playing out of position (Matt Brown, Joe Mulhall and Joe Dixon were all asked to play in positions they had not been in this term), they were able to find a way back into the contest. Chris Long fizzed an effort marginally wide before skipper Darren Witt rifled a free-kick home to give his side a deserved share of the points.

That proved to be the final game of an entertaining contest between two of this season’s leading sides in the top flight.

Town boss Kev Blackwell said; “We were sluggish for a good third of the game and left ourselves a mountain to climb falling two goals behind. However, the lads yet again showed that they are truly committed to the cause for they refused to accept that, even with us having to play folk out of position and then suffer the enforced change with the unfortunate Ryan (Gibbs), we were facing a lost cause and a draw was a fair outcome. Topsham are a good strong side, who will be very disappointed to be two up and not win. We’ll need to start better in the swift return on Saturday for I am sure that they will be looking top do a number of us at their place.”

That return league game is at Coronation Fields, Topsham on Saturday (March 5) with a 3pm kick-off.