PAULTON Rovers are out of the FA Vase after their depleted side lost a penalty shootout away to Ilminster Town following a goalless draw between the sides on an incredibly windy afternoon.

The injury issues at the club meant that Rovers took a below strength side down to Ilminster and within the first two minutes had to withdraw Dan McBeam as a precaution against further injury.

The bench was already thin, having been made up from two players just back from injury and both the manager and assistant manager. But Rovers actually got off to a promising start after that. Elliot Haffenden crossed from the right finding Dylan Gould in the six yard bo xbut he sliced his shot wide.

It became the story of the game as both teams toiled to produce chances that came to nothing. Haffenden was in again in the tenth minute, this time working well around the box before turning his man and getting a shot away that the keeper had to parry.

Moments later, Seb Tylek had to throw himself in front of an Ilminste rshot as they broke free on the left. Rovers came closest to scoring in the 30th minute when a shot from the edge of the box that was deflected and had the keeper scrambling to make a stop.

The second half wasn’t a great spectacle as the wind began to become an issue. Both teams failed to produce decent chances although Kitan Jaiyeoba should have scored when put through in the 66th minute. And so, without much to choose between the teams, the game moved onto penalties. The Ilminster keeper pulled off two saves that ensured they went through to the next round.

Welton Rovers also went out of the same competition, losing 5-0 at home to Shepton Mallet who play in the Premier Division of the Jewson League.