Paulton boss John Rendell was very disappointed not to get something out of this entertaining game at Melksham Town.

Rovers striker, Leighton Thomas, chased a through ball well defended by Melksham centre half, Jayden Pearce, whilst at the other end, Ralph Graham blasted over the crossbar.

Thomas crossed for Jack Ball to try a bicycle kick held by home keeper, Manny Idem. The hosts stacked through Albert Hopkins, whose cross was cut out by James Byrne and the Paulton right back was a constant threat down the right.

Melksham’s pressure saw Kyle Tooze shoot over, then Luke Ballenger’s free kick was charged away by the Paulton defence, with Josiah Dunstan making his debut.

Vaughan Covil, on loan from Forest Green Rovers, proved to be Melksham stand out player whose cross found Jay Malshanskyl with his drive blocked superbly by Byrne.

On thirty-five minutes two controversial decisions went against Rovers. First Thomas evaded the offside trap and outpaced the defender, only to be adjudged by the assistant referee, then less than a minute later, he again outran the defence from Lee Ibrahim’s pass and put the ball into the net. The goal was disallowed for offside, even to the surprise and delight of the home faithful.

Paulton started brightly after the break and Ed Butcher found Thomas, whose half volley was deflected. Then, from Captain Neil Martin’s free kick, Butcher crossed and Ball once again tried an overhead bicycle kick held by Idem.

Melksham broke down the left from Sam Hendy, Ball Hopkins’ low cross turned into the net by Tooze to give them a forty-ninth minute lead.

Ballenger then headed over from Graham’s cross and, in truth, Rovers stopper, Aaron Sainsbury, was rarely troubled.

In fact Byrne, Ball and Butcher combined to find Thomas whose effort was saved by Idem at the second attempt.

The last fifteen minutes was end to end in the sunshine in front of a crowd of 416, with both sides trying to freshen up tired legs by bringing on substitutes.

For Paulton it’s back to action on Wednesday, 30th March, home to Sholing, kick-off at 7.30 pm, then the visit from another Southampton area side on Saturday, 2nd April when AFC Totton are the visitors for a 3 pm kick-off.