BRODIE Montague’s injury-time header denied title hopefuls Torpoint Athletic a precious victory in North Devon on Tuesday night as fellow promotion-chasers Barnstaple Town also kept themselves in the hunt.

The visitors took the lead in the first half through Freddie Chapman after home full-back Tommy Rogers missed a penalty, but it took until the fourth minute of stoppage-time to get their leveller.

This result cancelled each other out in the table as Paulton Rovers won 5-3 at Buckland Athletic to go second on goal difference above Torpoint and Barnstaple dropping to fourth, to make it a four-horse race for the league title.

The opening stages saw breathtaking fast-paced football with both sides trying to break each other down, but to no avail.

Halfway through the first period the hosts had a penalty after winger Josh Parry collided with keeper Ryan Rickard right on the edge the area. Up stepped Tommy Rogers from the spot, but he blasted his effort wide.

Six minutes after the half-hour mark, Torpoint took the lead. An Elliott Crawford inswinging corner was met at the near post by Chapman to flick the ball in at Ollie Saunders’ near post.

With five minutes remaining of the first period, Torpoint’s Crawford had a free-kick which found Chapman in the area, but this time his effort went over the crossbar.

Both sides started the second half brightly with more fast-paced action.

Just past the hour mark, good build-up play by Torpoint’s midfield found Dave Barker, but his effort was saved somehow on the line by Saunders.

Five minutes later with the visitors looking to double their advantage, Sam Pearson ran down the left and found the dual-registered Ryan Downing, only for Saunders again to be in the right place.

In the final ten minutes the hosts were stepping up the pressure on their visitors with a Gabby Rogers effort fantastically put around the post by a diving Rickard.

In the fourth minute of stoppage-time Barum efforts were rewarded. A cross was put into the area and found Montague at the far post, he beat Crawford to the ball to head home from 10 yards. The referee immediately blew up for full-time at the restart to spark jubilant celebrations for the home fans.

It means heading into the Easter fixtures that leaders Clevedon Town have a four-point lead over both Paulton Rovers who won 5-3 at Buckland Athletic on Tuesday night and Torpoint, with Barnstaple a point further back.

Clevedon have just three fixtures remaining, with both Paulton and Barnstaple four and Torpoint five.

Torpoint face a South East Cornwall derby at Saltash United on Good Friday morning (11am), while Barnstaple host mid-table Wellington (1pm) and Paulton go to in-form Street at the same time (1pm). Clevedon have the day off following Nailsea and Tickenham’s withdrawal earlier in the season.

All four title hopefuls are also in action on Easter Monday with Clevedon the only one of the quartet to be at home as they face Brislington.

Torpoint make the short trip to Ivybridge while Barnstaple and Paulton go to Bridgwater United and Shepton Mallet respectively. All matches start at 3pm with the exception of Clevedon’s 1pm start.

BARNSTAPLE TOWN: Ollie Saunders; Brodie Montague, Tommy Rogers (Tom Davey, 75), Neil Slateford (Scott Piper 73, Luke Potter, 88), Adam Hill, Lee Gardener (capt), Ryan Keates (River Allen, 46), Shea Mannings, Gabby Rogers, Josh Parry. Subs not used: Ashley Mitchell.

TORPOINT ATHLETIC: Ryan Rickard; Dave Barker, Freddie Chapman, Owen Haslam, Callum O’Brien, Elliott Crawford (capt), Sam Pearson, Laurence Murray, Curtis Damerell (Joe Rapson, 58), Darren Hicks (Tom Payne, 70), Ryan Downing (James Rowe, 80). Subs not used: Sam Hepworth, Rikki Shepherd.

Torpoint Athletic man-of-the-match: Sam Pearson.