PAULTON ROVERS 1 v 2 TRURO CITY

Match Photos here courtesy of Truro City

Paulton went down to Truro City in a frenetic entertaining contest that should have resulted in a point for both sides.

Rovers made two changes from Saturday with Ryan Batten coming on for Scott Brice attending a funeral and debutant Ashley Williams coming for the injured Mike Bryant.

The visitors had Barry Hayles at centre forward the 42 year old former Bristol Rovers once moved to Fulham for 2 million pounds.

The early stages saw chances created by both sides and Nick McCootie broke through in the fifteenth and cracked a fizzing shot deflected for a corner.

Craig Duff responded for 'The White Tiger's' three minutes later shooting wide past the far post.

Rovers lost left back Connor Clifford after a very physical tackle and unfortunately taken to the Bath Royal United Hospital with suspected knee ligament diagnosed.

His replacement Keiran Baggs thundered a shot goal wards only for former Tiverton left back Chris Long to block. McCootie twisted and turned saw his volley blocked and give Baggs his chance.

Paulton keeper Kyle Phillips was hurt collecting a high ball with the referee taking no action against the culprit Jake Ash.
He still appeared winded when Hayles headed the opening goal after 35 minutes. A deep cross by right back Shane White was met by the experienced veteran to make 1-0 to Truro.

Rovers pressed to level and were rewarded six minutes later when McCootie unceremoniously had his legs taken from under him by centre half rob Farkins. The striker drove home the spot kick to make 1-1.

On the stroke of half time Hayles raced through to round Kyle Phillps and slip the ball into the net. A misplaced header from the home defence was picked up by Dan Green whose pass split the Paulton defence to make 2-1.

The second half saw a string of yellow cards doled out to the visitors as they sought to block Rovers response.

Brandon Barnes, Jon Davies and Williams were creating a flurry of chances and Truro too had chances through Duff and winger issac Vassell. The later was stopped by Phillips as he bore down on goal.

Truro keeper Kyle Moore pulled off a superb save from Barnes after McCootie found Davies who laid the ball into Barnes path.

With time running out Davies ran at the Truro defence and had his goal bound shot blocked for a corner.

In injury time Paulton thought they had won another penalty. Davies again dribbling at the defence was fouled just outside the area first by Ash then as he entered the penalty box White took his legs from under him.

The referee showed White a red card, but awarded a free kick right on the white line of the penalty area.

Paulton Rovers - Kyle Phillips (C), Ryan Batten, Ben Lacey, Connor Clifford (sub Keiran Baggs 28 mins), Tom Seary, Brandon Barnes, Marcus Mapstone, Ollie Knowles, Ashley Williams (Elliott Gibbons 76), Jon Davies, Nick McCootie,

Subs not used - Callum Hinder, Josh Jeffries

Man of the match -Tom Seary (Paulton Rovers)