PAULTON ROVERS 0 CINDERFORD TOWN 1

Rovers suffered their first home league defeat of the season in a disappointing game where the visitors showed exactly why they are unbeaten on their travels.

Town almost went ahead in the 3rd minute as Danny Haine’s ball forward saw Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips, call for the ball only to be beaten in the air by Lewis Sommers, who sent his header just wide of the post. Nick McCootie then sent a shot just wide. Rovers first real threat came in the 20th minute when Ollie Price headed down Craig Loxton’s free kick only for Marcus Mapstone to shoot off target.

The visitors should have gone ahead in the 24th minute as Sommers header allowed McCootie to burst between two defenders but his shot across goal beat both keeper and the far post. Rovers too went close 5 minutes later as Adam Mahsdi’s left foot free kick from the right eluded everyone and went narrowly wide of the far post. Rovers skipper, Dan Cleverley and Mahdi both had efforts easily saved by the Cinderford keeper, Ben John as the first half petered out somewhat.

Fortunately for the crowd the second half was better entertainment as first Mahdi produced a fine save from John whilst at the other end McCootie spurned a great chance when having beaten the onrushing keeper to a ball forward he sent his lob over the bar of an empty net from 20 yards out. On 62 minutes Rovers broke quickly and Jamie Taylor played in Ben Lacey but his shot was well saved by John. The home side looked to be getting on top as Price sent a header just over from a free kick and John reacted brilliantly to deny Cleverley.

However just as it looked as though both sides would have to settle for a point the visitors were awarded a free kick in midfield 2 minutes from time and Cinderford skipper, Dale Evans, sent to kick to the far post where it was nodded across goal to substitute, Josh Egan and although Phillips did well to push away his header away it fell to Greg Lewis who forced the ball home.

Rovers: Phillips, Tovey, Allward, Price, Mapstone, Brice, Mahdi, Loxton, Taylor (Bridges 85 mins), Cleverley, Lacey
Subs not used: Osman, Bradley, Nix, Drewitt
Referee: Adam Matthews Assts: Adrian Matthews / Adrian Hunt Attendance: 191