Paulton Rovers 1 Westbury Utd 1: Two sides with similar records and both mid table, played with plenty of spirit and endeavour and a similar playing style.

A draw then was probably a fair result, although Paulton, upping the tempo and gaining control in the last twenty minutes, might have won it had Ed Butcher’s fine strike been two inches lower.

Rovers took the game to their opponents from the start. Westbury keeper Jonathan Hill was forced into a hasty clearance and David O’Hare was caught narrowly offside. Butcher, always prominent in Rovers’ attacks, sent in a dangerous cross which Nick Hewlett headed just wide. Will Hailston and Jack Dancey showed some nice touches, creating neat interplay with Dan Dempsey and Butcher but without making any clear opportunities.

United, keen to avenge a Rovers victory in their home fixture, had chances too, and their main striker Callum Demkiv’s overhead shot needed to be saved by Paulton keeper Aaron Sainsbury. From a Ryan Bole corner, Aaron Cockerill headed narrowly over the bar. But overall, the Rovers defence, ably marshalled by Neil Martin with Hewlett, Martin Lenihan, Mike Ilea and the excellent Dan Restorick, remained firm and untroubled. Jack Dancey and Dan Dempsey were making important midfield interceptions to stifle any Westbury threat.

It was something of a surprise when, in the 42nd minute, following a defensive mix up, Charlie Walton fed Demkiv who was able to keep his composure and shoot past an exposed Sainsbury to give United the lead.

The second half saw Westbury make two early chances with a cross shot from Craig Higdon going narrowly wide and a header clearing the bar from another dangerous Bole corner. But Paulton slowly regained the initiative. Restorick’s long throw-ins caused panicky clearances from United and Lenihan, moving forward on the left, was unlucky to see his cross shot deflected away and then an inviting cross just missed by Paulton forwards.

Westbury attackers were repeatedly caught offside as Paulton’s defence remained in control, but Sainsbury was called upon to save from Higdon’s fierce volley. Then Butcher, showing great skill, deceived the whole United defence only to be blocked in full flow. The referee ignored his polite request for a foul.

Both teams tried hard to win the game and there was plenty of spirit shown. Once again, Paulton looked a better side with the ball on the floor, alongside more accurate passing and support for each other.

In the seventy second minute, after Butcher had seen a shot well saved, three players combined to set up Hailston to side foot the ball past Hill for a deserved equaliser.

Rovers sensed a winner. The Westbury keeper made several saves, even rushing forward to clear with his feet as Paulton’s forwards, with Joe Morgan on as a substitute and working hard, created several chances.

Butcher, who had tried everything to outwit the Westbury defence showed great control before firing the ball narrowly over the bar. He deserved a goal.

The referee, who had brandished the yellow card on numerous occasions for seemingly innocuous challenges, was then forced to send Westbury defender Aaron Cockerill off, having given him a second caution. It was a competitive game, played in a good spirit.

Paulton man of the match: Dan Restorick – immense contribution at the back and moving forward.

Paulton Rovers: Sainsbury, Hewlett, Lenihan, Restorick, Ilea, Martin, Dancey, Dempsey, O’Hare, Hailston, Butcher. Subs: Paradise, Eglin, Morgan, Loxton. Noel Avis