WEYMOUTH 0 v 1 PAULTON ROVERS

(Above) Rovers scorer Josh Ford

Paulton continued their unbeaten start to 2016 with a deserved victory on the Dorset coast, against high flying Weymouth with a determined performance.

Rovers lost centre forward Tom Knighton with a hamstring problem after 24 minutes with his replacement Mario Mateus proving a thorn in the side of the Terra's defenders.

Moments later Weymouth responded with tricky winger Adam Kelly and left back Jake Wannell combining down the flank forcing a fine sharp stop at the near post from Rovers keeper Ben John.

John was caught slightly out of position as a ball from deep on the right caused confusion in the Paulton defence but striker Ben Thomson blazed well over the bar.

After an even first half they took the initiative winning a series of corners. Aaron Brown swung a floated effort in and Josh Ford headed home past despairing home stopper Steve Boore in the 50th minute to give Paulton the lead.

The visitors almost doubled their advantage when player coach Brown tested Boore with a vicious volley.

Boore then pulled off two good saves from first Sol Wheatley then Mateus as Brown and his central midfield partner Dave O'Hare found space to thread balls through a square back four..

Kelly was the player 'The Terra's' looked to create chances down the wings and he found Wannell with space to shoot as he charged forward only to shoot over the stand from the edge of the area.

The introduction of the experienced Weymouth stalwart Stewart Yetton, saw them rally with an intense spell of late pressure trying to take the tie straight to a penalty shoot out, but even he wasted a good chance failing to hit the target.

Rovers moved into the quarter finals and their likely opponents will be known at the end of the month.

Paulton man of the match Josh Ford