Football round-up from across Devon

Exeter City are back on top of Sky Bet League One but they were made to work very hard before edging past Cheltenham Town at St James Park, debutant Caleb Watts scoring the only goal midway through the second half.

Plymouth Argyle suffered their third 2-1 defeat in six games of the Championship campaign and it was a familiar story for the Pilgrims at Preston. Steven Schumacher’s team fell behind in the first minute, dominated for the next 25, conceded a second and then went back into dominant mode. Ryan Hardie pulled a goal back for Argyle on the hour but they were unable to find a leveller against former manager Ryan Lowe.

Torquay United avoided a major upset in the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory at Southern League Wimborne Town. Brett McGavin, Jack Stobbs and Tom Lapslie scored for the Gulls. Plymouth Parkway are also still in the hat and will replay at Frome Town.

Owen Howe banged in a brilliant hat-trick for Willand Rovers, as they overpowered Devon rivals Exmouth Town 3-1 in the Southern League. Levi Landricombe had given Exmouth the lead on 20 minutes but it was then all about the clinical finishing of Howe.

In the Toolstation Western League, Barnstaple Town remain unbeaten but will be starting to feel pangs of frustration at too many draws, although the latest stalemate, 2-2 at home to Shepton Mallet, was very welcome, as Barum recovered from 2-0 down to pinch the point with goals from Brodie Montague and Jamie Hearsey.

There was a reverse story for Ilfracombe Town at leaders Helston Athletic, as the Bluebirds led 2-0 at the break but were hit by a Cornish storm in the second period, eventually going down 5-2. Brixham are up to tenth after goals from Kieran Parkin and Charlie Madden gave the Fishermen a 2-0 win at Welton Rovers.

The biggest scoreline of the day came at struggling Millbrook, who remain cemented at the bottom after a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Buckland Athletic. Jared Lewington scored a treble for the Bucks, Ryan Bush enjoyed a brace and there was also a goal for Teigan Rosenquest.

Ivybridge Town are six points clear at the top of the South-West Peninsula League after a 5-0 victory at Torridgeside, with Chris Wright scoring a hat-trick, but the stand-out result came at Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police, who beat previously undefeated Bridport 4-3 in a thrilling match.

Elburton Villa moved into the top six with a 3-0 win at bottom club Dartmouth and there was another seven-goal cracker at Cullompton Rangers, as they sneaked past Axminster Town with a 4-3 win.

However, the game of the weekend was at Teignmouth, where the home side triumphed 6-5 against Bishops Lydeard in a brilliant match for the supporters and strikers, not so great for defenders and goalkeepers.

A solitary goal from Jake Rowe handed Okehampton Argyle a Moorland derby win at Bovey Tracey, while Crediton were too strong for Honiton, winning 6-2, and Torrington battled to a 0-0 draw at Sidmouth Town, despite being down to nine men.

Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat at Elmore, their first reverse of the season, Appledore remain a point clear of Beer Albion, who had the weekend off, at the top of the Devon Football League.

Mount Gould are in third place following their hard-fought 2-1 win at Budleigh Salterton, with Lakeside Athletic next in the queue. Ottery St Mary make up the top five and they were inspired in a 5-0 win over Barnstaple Town Reserves. Seb Copp scored twice and there were further Ottery goals from Adrian Parr, Riki Pitter and Jake Williams.

Feniton are propping up the table at the bottom after a 5-1 loss at Ipplepen but North Molton are a side showing plenty of improvement, as goals from Joe Southcott and Jack Moses gave them a 2-0 win at Bere Alston.

As well as league action this weekend, a number of local sides will take their next steps in the FA Trophy and FA Vase.