SLOUGH TOWN 2 PAULTON ROVERS 1

Rovers remain without a league win despite a spirited second half performance against Slough Town that almost earned them a point.

They made the worst possible start, conceding a goal in the 2nd minute, as Charlie Mpi latched onto a long through ball that split the Rovers’ defence and sent his 20 yard lob over the keeper and in off the underside of the bar.

The visitors had a great chance to equalise in the 15th minute as Aaron Brown’s pass sent Kyle Tooze away down the left but his whipped in cross saw Tom Knighton head wide. It merely spurred the home side on as first skipper, Adrian Sear, sent a 20 yard drive just wide and Mpi looked to have added his second with a header until Ben John scrambled across his goal to touch the ball out for a corner.

Slough did however double their lead in the 24th minute as Mpi sent Paul Storehouse away down the left. His cross looked to be behind everyone but Warren Harris did well to collect and find Declan Benjamin who fired home from the edge of the box.

Mpi went close again in the 30th minute before 5 minutes later Rovers were denied what looked a certain penalty for handball as a Slough defender blocked Ross Staley’s volley.

The first half ended with both sides spurning great chances to score. Firstly for the visitors, Josh Morgan-Williams, did well to release Knighton but having opted to round keeper, Mark Scott, his shot off balance was easily cleared by a covering defender. Then Stonehouse produced another fine run and cross from the left only for Dan Hicks to blaze over the bar at the far post with the goal at his mercy.

Rovers were much better in the second half and but for several fine saves from home keeper, Mark Scott, could have got back into the game. He had to be alert to claim a Darren Mullings’ header, then got down well to a Staley shot before producing a point blank block to deny Knighton at the near post following a cross from Tooze.

Rovers did have the ball in the net on the hour but Morgan-Williams’ header from a Brown free kick was ruled out for pushing.

Scott was in action again on 77 minutes as Rovers’ best move of the game saw substitute, Ben Bament, set up Tooze who cut inside but couldn’t get the ball past the Slough keeper. Rovers’ cause was not helped when Darren Mullins, playing his first game since August, was harshly sent off for a second yellow card with what appeared an innocuous challenge.

However despite being down to 10 men the visitors reduced the arrears in the final minute as Tooze was brought down in the box by the keeper Bament, made no mistake with his penalty kick.

It proved too little, too late and Rovers remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Star Man: Charlie Mph (Slough)

Rovers’ man of the match: Craig Allan

Rovers: Ben John (C), Alex Grimshaw, Aaron Brown, Adrian Harris, Josh Ford, Craig Allan, Darren Mullings, Ross Staley (Jack Allward (80 mins), Tom Knighton (Ben Bament 66), Josh Morgan-Williams, Kyle Tooze. Subs not used: Jordan Ricketts, Nathan Rudge and Richard Fey.