PAULTON ROVERS 2 v 3 HUNGERFORD TOWN

Rovers went down to high flying Hungerford Town in a tightly fought and competitive match after a error strewn first half.

James Pilling hit the post in the first 20 seconds as Hungerford dominated and went ahead on 10 minutes with a swerving shot from James Clark which went in off the post.

Prior to that Scott Wilson had broken through for Rovers and he tried to pass the ball pasted visiting keeper Paul Strudley when a firm shot seem to be required to get his side level.

The game descended into a series to high balls and miss placed passes.

However on 38 minutes Ben Lacey broke down the right wing found Wilson who missed the target when he looked odds on to score.

Paulton made a double substitution at half time bringing on Darren Jeffries and new striker Mitchell Page, but it was the visitors who had an immediate chances to score as giant striker Charlie Mpi sped down the right crossed only for the league leading scorer Mark Draycott to blast over the bar.

Rovers equalised on 53 mins. when sub Darren Jeffries split the Hungerford defence for Wilson to run on and score.

Four minutes later James Rusby headed 'the Crusaders' ahead from Pilling's right wing corner and 2 mins. later it was 3-1 when Mpi broke down the right and Lee Smith's shot went through Kyle Phillips hands.

Paulton were not to be out done and Brandon Barnes shot over and after seventy two minutes Wilson crossed only for left back Sam Teale to head over. Then Wilson skimmed the outside of the post when on another day his shot might have gone in.

Mpi shot four minutes later was saved by Phillips but confusion arose in the home defence until the ball was cleared.

Rovers pressure paid off on 78 mins when a lovely individual run by Barnes ends with superb curling left foot shot to make it 3-2.

With minutes left their was a melee of shots on Strudley's goal with utter confusion and looking for all the world that Paulton would save the day. They continued to try desperately to equalised, despite excessive time wasting by the visitors.

Man of the match - Charlie Mpi (Hungerford Town)

Attendance 138 (very disappointing)

Entertainment 3 out of 5.