They were without the suspended Dean Evans and Ben Lacey, but Marcus Mapstone was fit enough to return in defence and 18 year old Joe Vyner started at centre forward as Josh Klein-Davies wasn’t fully fit.

Paulton started brightly with Nick McCootie having an early chance snuffed out by 'Marine's' keeper Conor Thompson on loan from Torquay United.

However the home side took the lead in the fifth minute when Dan Hilder cut down the right and crossed to Chris Taylor who hit a low shot that took a deflection wrong footing Paulton keeper Kyle Phillips.

Rovers were dealt an early blow as they lost a returning Mapstone five minutes later after he injured ankle ligaments in a tackle and was replaced by Stuart Tovey.

Paulton soon found their feet and had long periods dominating the half with Darren Jefferies and Brandon Barnes proving threats down either wing and McCootie and Vyner testing the Swindon defence with keeper Thompson proving hard to beat saving on a number of occasions.

As half time approached Supermarine made it 2-0 after Josh Parsons crossed from the right wing and prolific scorer Ashley Edenborough drove the ball past Phillips from the edge of the box.

There was still time for controversy. Barnes swung in a left footed corner from the right which took a slight deflection hit the underside of the bar and according to Swindon fans behind the goal crossed the line. The assistant referee did not signal and the referee waved play on.

That moment proved crucial although Parsons and Edenborogh got in each other’s way at the start of the second half when a third goal looked inevitable.

Paulton continued to play some flowing football but were unable to beat man of the match Thompson as he saved shots from Jefferies, Dan Cleverley, McCootie and Mike Perrott as Nick Bunyard's men sought to reduce the deficit.

On the counter attack after fifty nine minutes Edenborough was allowed to run from the half way line and shot hitting the foot of the post with Parsons tapping the ball home for 3-0.

Rovers brought on Josh Klein-Davies for Vyner and he tested man of the match Thompson on three occasions.

Manager Bunyard will take some positives from this performance after a disappointing display on Boxing Day which leaves Rovers in fourth position going into the vital clash at third placed Mangotsfield United on New Years Day (K-O 3-00 p.m.).

Paulton Rovers - Kyle Phillips, Ryan Batten, Scott Brice, Marcus Mapstone (sub Stuart Tovey 10 mins), Dan Cleverley (C), Mike Reaney, Dean Evans, Brandon Barnes, Mike Perrott Josh Jeffries 86), Darren Jefferies, Joe Vyner (Josh Klein-Davies 60), Nick McCootie.

Subs not used - Ollie Price, Paul Milsom.