HUNGERFORD TOWN 1 PAULTON ROVERS 0

Rovers will count themselves very unfortunate not to have claimed at least one point from this closely contested encounter, particularly as they played the entire second half with only ten men after the harsh dismissal of Scott Brice.

There was very little to choose between the sides in the opening period with on loan keeper, Daniel Lincoln for Hungerford and Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips, both having only to make a couple of easy saves. The first clear cut chance fell to the visitors on 19 minutes as Steve Bridges’ throw in down the left found Craig Loxton and his cross from the left somehow went through a crowded box to Ben Osman who sent his shot just over the bar. Rovers began to take control as James Billing broke and set up Loxton but he delayed his shot which was eventually blocked for a corner. Loxton took it from the left side and Brice’s header was blocked on the line. Ben Lacey shot over after Brice headed down a Stuart Tovey feee kick and Loxton went close with a shot from the edge of the box as Rovers’ threatened to break the deadlock.

The, with half time approaching, Town broke quickly and a through ball sent Luke Hopper clear but he shot just wide of the post. However in the first minute of injury time the same player went down under a challenge from Brice just outside the box and the referee decided it was a foul and that a clear goal scoring opportunity had been denied so brandished a red card.

Despite being a man down Rovers began the second period brightly with Billing heading over a Lacey cross and then Lacey cut inside from the left and fired a shot just wide from 20 yards. Rovers had a great chance on 67 minutes as Lincoln played a goal short to Diak John who failed to control it and Billing failed to hit the target with his shot.

The numbers were evened up on 77 minutes when having tripped Tovey, Hopper stamped on the Paulton defender and received a straight red card. With 4 minutes remaining the influential Jamie Gosling crossed into the Rovers’ box and substitute, Harry Goodger, headed straight at Phillips. Rovers nearly produced a break through with three minutes left as a long rang effort from substitute, Adam Mahdi, was brilliantly saved by Lincoln.

Then in the second minute of injury time Hungerford won a corner on the right and Goodger out jumped everyone and sent his header wide of Phillips into the bottom corner of the net to earn his side a vital three points.

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

Rovers' Star Man: Craig Loxton.
Referee: D Leach
Assts: S Tobin / S Dolton

Attendance: 65