James Pilling hit the post in the first twenty seconds as Hungerford dominated and went ahead on ten minutes with a swerving shot which went in off the post.
Scott Wilson should have beaten Paul Strudley as Rovers sought to level in what was a dour first period. Paulton levelled on 53 minutes when substitute, Darren Jeffries, split the defence for Wilson to score.
Four minutes later, James Rusby headed the Crusaders ahead from Pilling's corner and two minutes later, it was 3–1 when Charlie Mpi broke down the right and Lee Smith's shot went through Kyle Phillips' hands.
Rovers' pressure paid off on 78 minutes when an individual run by Brandon Barnes ended with a superb, curling left-foot shot to make it 3–2. Paulton tried desperately to equalise despite excessive time wasting by the visitors.