LYME Regis manager Robin Townsend felt his side was “excellent” after they secured a 1-0 derby win at Sidmouth Town Seconds in their Devon & Exeter League Division One encounter.

Declan Ellis got the only goal of the game for the Seasiders just before half-time as the hosts went down to nine men after two players were sin-binned.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Townsend believed his side “deserved the three points”.

He said: “We deserved the three points, I thought we were excellent. We showed a lot more character than the year before where we would have probably come away with a draw or a loss.

“We nullified them superbly. Sam Jones and Fred Parsons were outstanding.”

In rainy conditions, Lyme started brightly but were forced into defensive action as Sidmouth had a goal-bound effort cleared off the line.

But ill-discipline caught up with the hosts as they had manager Gary Bargery sent off before seeing two players sin-binned.

Ellis then grabbed a goal before the break to rub salt into the wounds, and Lyme dominated the second half, twice hitting the woodwork before Sidmouth’s sin-bins ended.

Commenting on the start his side has made to the season, which sees them top the standings on 10 points from four games, Townsend admitted the Seasiders have “started well”.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start. We have started well but it’s early days. We have just got to keep it going.

“We know our home form is pretty good, but our away form has let us down in the past,” he said.