PAULTON ROVERS 1 BIDEFORD 2

Rovers suffered their second home league defeat of the season as they conceded a goal, against the run of play, in the final minute of normal time.

With the third and fourth placed sides at start of play meeting each other it promised to be a tight affair and so it proved. In the 6th minute Rovers’ first chance came from a Craig Loxton free kick that was partially cleared and Scott Brice’s ball back was headed straight at Bideford keeper, Grant Fisher, by Marcus Mapstone. Bideford went close minutes later when Kevin Squire won a ball into the Rovers’ penalty area but Sean Dowling sent his volley just wide. Rovers made a great break on 22 minutes as Stuart Tovey’s clearing header sent found Jamie Taylor and his pass sent Ben Osman away down the right and his long cross field pass picked out Loxton but the shot was blocked. Bideford had appeals for a penalty turned down in the 29th minute when home keeper, Kyle Phillips, dived at the feet of Ben Wood, but the referee adjudged he got something on the ball and waived play on.

The visitors started the second half better as Phillips saved a long range shot from Richard Groves easily, but then produced a great stop from Wood. Bideford were starting to put together same neat passing moves and Squire was unlucky to see his effort deflected wide for a corner on 56 minutes. Phillips then produced another fine save from a Groves free kick diving to his left to make a clean catch and deny Squires following up.

It was no surprise really when the visitors made the breakthrough in the 67th minute and it came from a simple pass through the heart of the home defence that enabled Squire to race clear and slip the ball past the advancing Phillips and into the net.

It spurred the hosts into action and 4 minutes later Bideford were penalised for a pass back to Fisher in their own penalty area and substitute, Adam Mahdi, set up Loxton, but his drive flashed across goal and wide of the far post.

However Rovers levelled with 15 minutes left as Mahdi’s left wing corner saw Brice felled in the box by a defender and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Loxton slotted home the penalty kick.

It looked as though Rovers might well go on and win the game, as they applied pressure to the visitors’ defence, but the only real chance they created saw Mahdi’s free kick to the back post find substitute, Josh Jeffries, but he headed wide.

However in the final minute of normal time the visitors broke quickly and another ball into the heart of the Rovers’ defence saw Downing go clear and he showed great composure to finish neatly and earn his side a vital three points.

Rovers: Phillips, Tovey, Allward, Dunn, Mapstone, Brice, Osman (Bridges), Loxton, Billing (Jeffries 70 mins), Cleverley (C), Taylor (Mahdi).
Subs not used: Price, Harvey.

Rovers Star Man: Jack Allward
Referee: Thomas Blanch
Assts: Peter Cassidy / Ben Williamson

Attendance: 175