ABINGDON UNITED 1 PAULTON ROVERS 1

Rovers claimed their second point of the season and their first away from home but will once again feel they deserved more based on their second half dominance.

They began well enough, Jamie Taylor firing over from 20 yards out after good work from Craig Loxton and Ben Cleverley also off target with a shot after a sliding pass from brother, Dan. Taylor also had a header saved by home keeper, James Foster, so it was something of a surprise when the visitors went behind in the 13th minute.

Abingdon won a corner on the left and although it was over hit beyond the far post Shaun Wimble hooked the ball back and Scott Griffin headed home.

Rovers responded well but Dan Cleverley, Taylor, Loxton and Ben Cleverley, with a free kick, all failed to hit the target as Town somewhat fortuitously went into the interval a goal up.

The home side began the second half brightly as Tom Austin broke down the right, cut inside and forced a good save from home keeper, Kyle Phillips before Griffin shot wide from the edge of the box following more good work from Austin.

However the visitors were level in the 51st minute as the lively Jack Allward, was brought down and Ben Cleverley’s free kick was blocked at the near post but stood up nicely for Dan Cleverley to send a volley into the far corner of the net.

Just two minutes later and Town almost restored their lead, skipper, Ricky Allaway, sending his header just wide. Rovers were now in the ascendancy and began to exert some sustained pressure on the home goal but in a rare break Curtis Angell went down in the Rovers’ penalty area but the referee correctly adjudged there was no contact and Angell’s name was the first to go into the book for simulation. Rovers were indebted to Phillips for making a great save in the 75th minute getting down low to his right to push aside a superb volley from Angell.

In the 83rd minute Wimble was dismissed for foul and abusive language to the officials and when Loxton was brought down 25 yards out in the final minute of normal time, the ensuing melee saw McCready also receive his marching orders for a second bookable offence. Rovers almost made their 2 man advantage tell 5 minutes into injury time as Ben Cleverley’s free kick was met by Loxton who found Jeffries but his overhead kick went just wide.

Rovers: Phillips, Gwinnett, Allward, Dunn, Mapstone, Brice, B Cleverley, Loxton, Taylor (Jeffries 77 mins), D Cleverley (C), Lacey (Lewis 43 mins)
Sub not used: Osman

Star Man: Marcus Mapstone

Referee: Guy Poynter
Assts: Simon Maynard / Steven Borham

Attendance: 55