GOSPORT BOROUGH 2 PAULTON ROVERS 0

Rovers’ play-off hopes suffered a further set back with a defeat at promotion rivals, Gosport Borough. The hosts began brightly as Rovers conceded two free kicks and a booking for skipper, Dan Cleverley, in the opening 6 minutes as the defence struggled to cope with the pace and guile of Justin Bennett. Their cause was not helped by the loss of Jack Allward in the 16th minute due to a leg injury. Rovers’ first threat came on 18 minutes as Nick Dunn’s pass inside the full back sent Ben Lacey away but his cross from the left was well cut out by a home defence that enjoyed a comfortable first half. Bennett then spurned a chance on 20 minutes as Gavin Jones sent over a cross from the right which Stuart Tovey did well to head away but it fell to the Gosport striker who sent his volley over the bar

Rovers’ relief was short lived as Marcus Mapstone, now playing at left back, obstructed , Daniel Woodward, wide on the Borough right and Ellis Martin’s free kick picked out Lee Molyneaux at the far post and he sent his header across goal and in at the far corner.

Borough threatened to run away with the game as Rovers’ keeper, Kyle Phillips produced two excellent saves and a more comfortable one to thwart Bennett twice and Daniel Wooden. As the half drew to a close Rovers had their bell spell as first Lacey crossed from the left beyond the far post where Tovey sent his header wide and then James Billing’s header from a Phillips’ clearance downfield saw Lacey race clear between two defenders and stayed on his feet when he could easily have gone down under the challenge only to see his shot blocked.

The visitors then suffered a hammer blow 2 minutes into injury time as Jones’ ball into the Rovers’ box saw veteran striker, Steve Claridge, fail to control the ball but it broke kindly to Nathan Kirby who picked his spot and slotted the ball home.

Rovers put in an improved second half performance but had an escape on 61 minutes as a good Borough move down the left saw substitute, Adam Wilde, race clear but his shot came back off the post. Rovers began to look as though they could get back into the game as they created a few chances, Billing sent a shot across goal and wide of the far post and Lacey had an effort blocked by a defender but it was only in the final 15 minutes that the Borough keeper, Nathan Ashmore, was really troubled in the match and he responded magnificently to save a Dunn shot from the edge of the box, although the rebound fell to Cleverley, whose shot was cleared off the line. Ashmore then also saved a Ben Osman shot from a similar distance before the keeper was finally beaten on 88 minutes, but Cleverley’s header from a Dunn cross came back off the bar. However with Rovers committed to going forward in numbers it was the home side who could have added a third in injury time but Phillips produced a great save from Wilde and although the ball broke to fellow substitute, Liam Sewell, Rovers’ defender, Scott Brice, got in the block.

Overall Borough were well worth the three points, which sees them consolidate their play-off position, while Rovers are still left chasing the pack.

Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Jack Allward (Scott Brice 16 mins), Nick Dunn, Marcus Mapstone, Josh Jeffries, Ben Osman, Craig Loxton, James Billing, Dan Cleverley (C), Ben Lacey.
Subs not used: Jack Nix, Simon Farrell, Ben Bicknell, Jon Harvey.

Man of the Match: Lee Molyneaux (Borough)

Referee: A Tranter
Assts: M Carmichael / P Bain

Attendance: 283