Wellington AFC were unable to overturn a three-goal deficit against Ivybridge Town despite their best efforts.
The Tangerines produced a spirited fightback in the second half, with goals from captain Josh Baker and substitute Gabriel Plant setting up a tense finish at the Carly Press Ground.
However, they could not find an equaliser, meaning the visitors left with the win.
Ivybridge went ahead in the 14th minute when a long clearance from goalkeeper Kane Gregory bounced over the Wellington defence, allowing former Tangerine Alfie Slough to lift the ball over Luke Vernon in the Wellington goal.
The home side struggled to find a response, and Ivybridge doubled their advantage in the 31st minute.
A through ball brought appeals for offside but, with no flag forthcoming, the ball was squared across goal for Slough to tap home his second of the afternoon.
Things went from bad to worse for Wellington just before the interval as Chris Harvey struck from the right-hand side of the penalty area, beating Vernon to make it 3–0.
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The Tangerines emerged from the break with renewed determination and began to put the Ivybridge defence under greater pressure.
They found a way back into the contest after 55 minutes when a free-kick into the Ivybridge area was not cleared, and the ball fell to Baker, who fired home to reduce the arrears.
The goal lifted the Wellington, who continued to press forward.
Plant replaced Elijah Hiller and made an almost immediate impact.
The sub found himself in possession as the ball dropped invitingly into his path and produced a clever looping effort over Gregory to make it 3–2.
With the momentum firmly behind the home side, the hosts pushed for an equaliser.
As the match entered its closing stages, Wellington continued to throw players forward in search of a deserved leveller.
In the 90th minute, a corner fell to Baker in a promising position, but the captain was unable to keep his close-range effort down, sending the ball over the crossbar.
There was still time for one final opportunity in stoppage time.
A clearance was blocked by Evett who advanced on goal, only to see his effort drift agonisingly wide of the post.
It proved to be Wellington’s final chance as Ivybridge secured all three points.
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