Report by Ben Wilson

Paulton slipped to defeat in the FA Cup against a gutsy Fleetlands side, effectively thanks to two penalties - the first of which appeared highly dubious.

After a quiet first 20 minutes, Rovers would have led but for some remarkable defending. Brandon Bak fired low to beat the Fleetlands keeper, but not the man on the line. Darren McAlastair struck the follow-up goalwards - only to be repelled by another outstretched boot.

Controversy surrounded the game’s opener. Chris Peck appeared to be pushed in the back when trying to clear. No whistle arrived, and Peck recovered to clear, while clipping the foot of Fleetlands forward Brad Snelling. The referee surprised the home fans by pointing to the spot, and Snelling dusted himself down to convert.

Paulton threatened ten minutes into the second half. Dylan Gould timed his through ball to Bak perfectly, and the big man got his shot away - only to be denied by an exceptional recovery tackle.

Subs Martin Lenihan and Krystian Woods entered the action, but Fleetlands might have secured the win before either could influence the tie. A goalbound effort was blocked by the chest of keeper Archie Matthews, with the rebound volleyed wide by a visiting midfielder.

Matthews made another outstanding stop with 20 minutes remaining, sticking out his left leg at just the right moment to deny Fleetlands’ Oli Page when through one-on-one.

With ten minutes to play, however, the official pointed to the spot again. This time Page beat Matthews by drilling his kick straight down the middle.

Lenihan’s late effort was deflected wide and, perhaps in a final sign that this wasn’t Paulton’s day, the ref awarded a goal kick.

There was, however, still time for sub Jamarni Langlais to be fouled in the box, and cooly convert the penalty - only for Page to race through straight from the restart and cleverly lob Fleetland’s third.

The defeat will sting, but Rovers must put it behind them before the real business starts on Tuesday - with a Southern League visit to Dorchester.