PAULTON ROVERS 4 v 5 POOLE TOWN

A pulsating match with a weakened Poole Town coming from behind to remain top of the league. When the home side scores four goals and winning 4-2 with sixteen minutes left you would expect them to see out the remaining time.

Rovers keeper Kyle Phillips was fit to resume between the sticks, but full back Adam Flint failed a late fitness test to join long term casualties Dan Cleverley, Connor Clifford and Tom Seary on the sidelines.

Paulton took the lead in the 5 minutes after Jon Davies shot was deflected for a corner taken on the right by Brandon Barnes firmly headed home by Mike Bryant on the far post.

Several long range shots by Poole sailed high and wide before on 15 minutes Kyle Phillips saved with his feet from Marvin Brooks. The rebound falling to Luke Burbidge whose shot was blocked on the line by Stuart Tovey and falling into the keeper's hands.

Town had a period of pressure but Rovers went two up on 25 minutes after Bryant gathered a loose ball laid the ball to former Poole player Davies who hit a cracking low drive passed NIck Hutchings and into the net.

Three minutes later Poole pulled a goal back. From a corner on the right centre forward Marvin Brooks headed passed Phillips. Rovers immediate response was a low shot from Jordan Walker narrowly wide.

In the 34th minute it was 2-2 when Luke Burbidge broke into the box from the right and he laid the ball across the box for Brooks to tap home at the far post.

Two minutes from half time Rovers sent ahead when Barnes broke down the right side found Davies whose cross was headed home low by striker Scott Wilson to make it 3-2.

Paulton started the second period building momentum and it was no surprise when they went further ahead after 53 minutes when Wilson evaded careful attention from visiting captain James Whisken broke forward rounded keeper Hutchings slipped the ball to Davies to tap home to make it 4-2.

'The Dolphin's' cross were snuffed out by Phillips, as league leaders they played some slick football and sixteen minutes from time Poole made it 4-3, substitute Jack Maloney on loan from Portsmouth, appeared to simulate in the area, as confusion reined the ball fell to Burbidge to score past Phillips. Although Maloney was spoken to by referee Mr Foster no action was taken as the player was given the benefit of the doubt.

Phillips's pulled off a series of saves but on 78 minutes Devlin levelled from the penalty spot after Ash Williams was adjudged by the assistant referee to have fouled Maloney and thus stopping a goal scoring opportunity shown a red card.

With two minutes left Poole got the winner after neat build up play the ball was laid in to the path Devlin shot home from twenty yards.

Rough justice on Paulton who must learn go shut up shop at this level.

Paulton Rovers -
Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey (Josh Klein-Davies 77 minutes), Jordan Walker, Ashley Williams, Scott Brice (C), Brandon Barnes (Elliott Gibbons 74), Mike Bryant, Scott Wilson, Jon Davies (Darren Jefferies 84), Dean Evans

Subs not used Callum Hinder, Josh Jeffries,

Man of the match Kyle Phillips (Paulton Rovers FC)

Entertainment 5 out of 5

Attendance 296