POOLE TOWN 2 PAULTON ROVERS 1

Rovers remain winless but produced a performance full of character and on another day could have earned at least a point.

Having said that they were indebted to keeper and new captain, Ben John, who pulled off a string of fine saves to thwart a Poole Town side who went top with this win. In the first half he saved early from Town's best player, Luke Burbidge, then a header from Mike Walker and a shot from full back, Will Spetch. Walker had a great chance on 36 mins but sent his header wide. Burbidge then went down in the box but nothing was given. Rovers' best spell came just before the break following the introduction of Josh Morgan- Williams but Nick Hutchins in the home goal was barely troubled. Poole thought they had broken the deadlock right on the interval but as Marvin Brooks rounded John and slotted the ball home the assistant’s raised flag for offside ensured the half ended in stalemate.

Rovers were better in the second half and Ross Staley had a great chance to open the scoring but his effort was easily saved.

The hosts did open the scoring on 61 minutes when Burbidge went away down the right and pulled the ball back to Luke Roberts who drilled the ball home from near the penalty spot.

Rovers leveled just 4 mins later when Morgan- Williams collected a pass forward, turned, beat his marker and curled a left foot shot into the far corner of the net.

The game turned with the award of a disputed penalty on 75 mins when Burbidge went down in the box. Coach, Aaron Brown, was shown a straight red for protesting the decision and substitute, Alan Conell made no mistake with the kick although John got a touch.

With Rovers pressing for an equalizer John was in action several more times but Poole should have added a third in injury but after a great run and cross from Burbidge, Connell blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

Rovers: Ben John (C), Alex Grimshaw, Aaron Brown, Craig Allan, Josh Ford, Adrian Harris, Jay Malpas (David O’Hare 85 mins), Jordan Ricketts, Ben Bament (Josh Morgan-Williams 32 mins), Ross Staley, Kyle Tooze (Tom Knighton 81 mins)
Subs not used: Nathan Rudge, Richard Fey.

Man of the match: Ben John