Tiverton'S unbeaten start to 2012 hit the buffers last night when they lost 1-0 to Didcot in the Evo-Stick Southern League (Division 1 S&W).

But it took a freak own goal to spoil their record.

Starting brightly, Tiverton won their first corner inside 20 seconds.

However clear cut chances were rare until the second half.

On 52 minutes Michael Nardiello got behind the Railwaymen's defence and put in a great cross but 'keeper Jon Henley did just enough to deflect the ball away from the onrushing Adam Faux.

Didcot upped the ante ten minutes later and forced Tivvy onto the back foot winning a series of corners.

With Tivvy eventually clearing their lines it looked as if the danger had gone.

But Steve Davis had other ideas and he brought the best out of Chris Wright who dived to his right but only succeeded in parrying the ball against the unfortunate Tom Gardner's chest and into the net.

Within five minutes, manager Mark Saunders came on to replace Michael Nardiello and the tempo of the game increased but Didcot often had ten men behind the ball and Tivvy could not find a way through.

To cap it all, Kevin Hill was booked for what looked like an innocent clash of heads when he and Kevin Halliday both headed the ball at the same instant.

With Didcot using all the time-wasting tactics that they could get away with, there was no love lost between these sides which does not bode well for the return fixture on Saturday, March 31.

The mark of a good side is how quickly they bounce back and Tiverton are in action again at Clevedon Town on Saturday before they host Halesowen the following weekend.

Tiverton Town: 1 Chris Wright, 2 Josh Concanen, 3 Alex Faux, 4 David Steele (12 Kevin Hill, 85 mins), 5 Paul Kendall (captain), 6 Tom Gardner, 7 Andy Taylor, 8 Danny Clay, 9 Michael Nardiello (15 Mark Saunders, 72 mins), 10 Joe Bushin, 11 Josh Searle.

Substitutes (unused): 14 Liam Ellis, 16 Russell Jee, g/k Ryan Draper.