Paulton Rovers hit Cirencester in a burst of first half goals but were made to work hard for all 3 points as the home side made a terrific effort to get back in the game.

Rovers went ahead on five minutes as Ben Withey's cross from deep on the left was glanced home thanks to a flying header by striker Ryan Gay.

Rovers added a second soon after in the 15th minutes as long kick by the excellent Rob Brown fell to Jack Ball who used his strength against the Cirencester defenders laying the ball off to the onrushing Dale Evans whose shot across the keeper found the far corner of the net.

With the home side rattled, Rovers pushed on and in the 20th minute were awarded a penalty when Ball's through ball found Ryan Gay only to be tripped by goalie Luke Marchant giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Jack Ball stepped up to take his 2nd penalty in as many games and despite the shot hitting the post and then on to the keeper for an unlucky own goal, it was 3-0 Rovers.

In a pulsating first 25 minutes, Rovers then made 4-0 with another penalty which Ball made no mistake burying it into the keepers left hand corner. There was to be a further twist in the first half as Ciren were then awarded a spot kick of their own as Withey handled and Ben Whitehead beat Brown to make it 4-1 at half time.

The home side threw everything in the early stages on the restart and pulled a goal back on fifty seven minutes as Alan Griffin turned home Tommy Anderson's right hand corner.

On 62 minutes Rovers were well and truly in a game as Ciren pressed again to make it 4-3 as Aiden Bennett hit the cross bar with a thundetbolt before Jack Freeman curled the resulting rebound past Brown.

With the momentum now with the home side, the Rovers back line stood firm before John Rendell's men produced the decisive moment in the game thanks to a slick counter-attack in the 75th minute.

When Prictor found Jay Malpas in his own half, the midfield meastro advanced forward before laying a killer pass taking 2 opposing players out of the game and setting Liam Monelle free down the left. Monelle wasn't for catching and when a cute faint took him past the last defender to the byline, his cut-back fell to Jack Ball who made no mistake rifling the ball home to send players, travelling fans and the Rovers bench into ecstatic celebrations.

With the clock running down, Cirencester still felt there was something in it for them but they were to be denied again thanks to a outstanding reaction save from keeper Rob Brown in the 90th minute making the 5 minutes injury time comfortable.

A determined display from Rovers against a good Cirencester side

Star man of the match - Ben Prictor (Paulton Rovers)

Entertainment Value 5 out of 5