THE DESTINATION of this year's Intermediate Two title is anyone's guess.

Mortehoe took a step closer to the chasing pack by beating Pilton on Saturday in the division's only fixture not to be frosted off.

But the Seasiders still have some catching up to do if they are to challenge the four clubs above them.

Lynton, Buckland Brewer, Putford and Ilfracombe Town look set to push each other all the way for promotion in the second half of the season.

Lynton manager Jim Mirow said: "It's going to be a battle to the end.

"It's never good when one team runs away with it, so with four teams up there it makes it more exciting."

His side were the early pacesetters but have lost momentum due to weather interruptions and haven't played a league game since November.

The emergence of several young players, including 16-year-old trio CJ Roberts, Tommy Mirow and Connor Constable have given the club new optimism after struggling for numbers in recent seasons.

"In the last game I had seven subs, and you can only name five and play three," said Mirow. "It's a nice position to be in but we try to make sure everybody gets a game.

"Maybe in a couple of years, if we get promoted, we might be able to get a another reserve team going.

"I was heartbroken when we had to fold the reserves because it was for the lads who didn't get a game. I ran that team for 17 years."

The goals of James Jenkins have fired Lynton to the summit and they have also benefited from the efforts of Jack Pugsley, who has travelled back from Cardiff University for big games.

"We are defiantly going for promotion," added Mirow. "We really want to win the league and I'm gutted we've lost two games."

Buckland Brewer have been quietly gong about their business and will go three points clear at the top if they win their game in hand.

Long-serving manager John Adams said: "I'd be delighted if we could get out of the second division — whether that's in first place or second, I don't care.

"It's going exceptionally well at the present time — almost too well — it's probably our best start to a season I can remember since we formed the club in the late 1970s.

"I just hope we can keep it going for another couple of months.

"Although we're doing well, a lot of the lads feel we're still not playing as well as we can, which has to be a good thing."

The village side have lost just one game so far and were the last team across all four divisions to be defeated.

Skipper and star man Simon Adams is the leading scorer with 15, while Vinny Bott has weighed in with nine goals from midfield. A strong spine to the side is completed by goalkeeper Danny Barnes and central defender Martin Tucker.

Neighbours Putford have been the surprise contenders this term — even by their own admission.

Player-boss Ivor Prouse said: "Promotion would have been beyond my wildest dreams when we started the season.

"But with everybody performing well hopefully we can get some results against the top sides to peg them back and we can say that it should be a possibility."

"We have competed well against the top sides and gained the points against the lower sides.

"It's been a good team effort, they are a good bunch of lads and we have got a good mix of young and old."

At 52 years old, defender John Slee is enjoying a renaissance, while Prouse, himself in his 29th season at the club, is still going strong in midfield.

The youngsters, though, have really brought the team forward. Goalkeeper Jake Smale, defenders Chris Cleverdon and Rob Slee, and strikeforce Dan Wilson and Pete Buckpitt have all impressed.

"I'm sure most of them will make the step up to the first team next season because they are all good enough" added Prouse.

The team have also had to cope without Kevin Hancock, who suffered a broken ankle early in the season.

For Ilfracombe Town, the benefits of fielding a settled side have made a big difference after constant changes to the line-up last season.

"I used 46 players last year," said manager Jon Harper. "I might as well have put a sign outside my house saying, 'if you want a game of football, call here'.

"I've got a regular squad of 16 players now."

Dean Hill's battling qualities in midfield and the goals of Byrone Montague have given the team an extra edge — particularly away from home, where they struggled last term.

Daniel Bushell and Mark Hunt — the only remaining players from Harper's original under-16 team — are progressing well, while Andros Stavrinou brings great enthusiasm to the team.

"Andros will have a bad game but he always bounces back," said Harper. "He broke his ankle and had his foot in plaster, and about three weeks later he's back at training wanting to play.

"I'm pleased, we have got a good chance of promotion if we continue the way we are going.

"And I really hope losing that game the other week (against South Molton) hasn't cost us the league."

While their main rivals were all forced to sit out at the weekend, Mortehoe made a winning start to 2009.

They took time to settle against Pilton before Howard Dennis and Andy Woodman opened up a 2-0 lead after the break.

Chris Bulled marked his return to the side, popping up from right-back to settle the match with the third.