TWO GOALS from on-loan Elliot Dugan ensured Paulton Rovers took a point in a 2-2 home against Bridgwater United in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western Football League - after a competitive mid-week game in constant rain.

The visitors started the game quickly, forcing a freekick in the opening moments although the chance was placed wide of James Smallcombe’s goal. But Rovers responded soon after with Dylan Gould setting Kitan Jaiyeoba through in the 7th minute. The striker cut inside making space for his shot but it flashed wide of the far post.

This was followed by Dugan shooting wide himself after a Kyle Witt corner. The hosts were starting to get on top of the game and Witt was in action again in the 27th minute, finding Kailan Gould on the edge of the box but his shot rifled over the bar.

A hugely controversial moment came in the 20th minute when Dugan was sent clear through but was clattered over by Louis Smith who had rushed out from his goal. He was clearly the last man and should have walked but was saved the red card.

Rovers took the lead from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after a Bridgwater player handled in the box in a scramble after a corner. Dugan stepped up to slip the ball in.

It was somewhat of a surprise when Bridgwater levelled through Owen Howe in the dying seconds of the half. A freekick was nodded on with Howe beating Smallcombe to the ball and nodding in.

Undeterred, Rovers started the second half quickly with Dugan and Kitan Jaiyeoba both going close in the opening minutes. Ex-Rovers manager Kyle Tooze came back to haunt the club after making a great run and cross that Jack Taylor powered in with his head in the 56th minute to put the visitors ahead.

Rovers followed with a raft of substitutions and immediately got back into the game when Kailan Gould was sent clear squaring the ball for Dugan to slide the ball under the keeper.

Rovers began to up the pressure but Bridgwater still looked dangerous on the counterattack. The best chance for the hosts to take the game came in the 83rd minute when Gould swung in a cross that caused confusion in the Bridgwater box with the ball looping over the keeper. Tom Bradley just needed to steer the ball goalwards from a yard out but somehow headed wide!

Two minutes later Louis Smith had to make two good saves to prevent Dugan and Gould from putting Rovers ahead again. Arguably he was their man of the match but perhaps should not have even been on the pitch.

With Rovers on top in the final minutes, Bridgwater themselves had a chance to steal the game in added time when Billy Tucker had a shot well saved by James Smallcombe.

The weather had certainly been a leveller in a competitive match where Rovers again created enough chances to win but came up short. Man of the match: Kailan Gould.

The draw enabled Rovers, although dropping two crucial points, to stay in fourth spot in the division, only four points behind the leaders Clevedon Town, with second-placed Torpoint Athletic remaining the only unbeaten team.

Jon Green