This was a thriller of a game, yet with few chances, as ten men Hungerford hung on for a deserved draw.
The Crusaders had the first attempt on goal when James Clark’s fifth-minute shot from distance went wide.
The visitors dominated for long spells, snubbed by a resolute Paulton defence, well organised by Captain, Scott Brice.
Hungerford’s Alan O’Brien tried to set up chances for strikers, Nat Jarvis and Mark Draycott. However, Rovers’ keeper, Ben John, was alert to snuff out any danger.
Alex Grimshaw nearly set up Tom Knighton with a rare home attack, but just before half-time Sam Teale tried to get on the end of a deep Aaron Brown cross.
Paulton looked a different outfit in the second period and Mitchell Page was pressing the visitors’ defence.
The turning point was on 55 minutes, when a Clark free-kick was held by John and Draycott crashed into him with such force that he was shown a straight red card.
Grimshaw hit a long cross to Brown and the ball fell to Ben Bament, who blasted over as the home side looked to snatch the lead. Teale hit a long shot which bounced off a defender for a corner. In response, substitute Kelvin Bossmen saw his drive blocked by Osman. In the dying minutes, Grimshaw found Brown and his thirty-yard shot was narrowly wide.
Man of the Match was Alex Grimshaw (Paulton Rovers).
As The Journal went to press on Tuesday, Rovers were away at Weymouth and this Saturday, the team travel to Chesham United, kick-off at 3 p.m. with the coach leaving the club at 10.15 a.m. Next Tuesday, 18th August, Cirencester Town visit Winterfield Road, kick-off at 3 p.m.
Tony Walsh