In a game of two halves, Paulton must regret not sealing matters and in the end, a last ditch goal granted Larkhall the win.

Rovers were on the back foot from the start, as keeper, Ed Baldy, turned away a dangerous cross then saved with his feet as Joe Raynes looked certain to score for the home side.

Paulton launched a seies of corners, unable to break through, with Sol Wheatley turning and shooting without real power.

The Larks took the lead on 31 minutes as Joe Tumelty held off the defenders, turned and curled a superb half volley into the net. Two minutes later he fastened onto a loose ball, turned and thumped the ball home, giving Baldy no chance to make it 2–0.

Paulton came out looking a different outfit and Jordan Ricketts’ deep ball found Reeko Best on the left wing and his cross was headed home by striker, Nathan Legge.

Seventeen-year-old Kaillan Gould, on as a substitute, was trying to take on the Larks’ defence, containing ex-Rovers’ defender, Olllie Price.

On 66 minutes, Rovers levelled. Best was fouled on the left and Gould’s floated free kick was badly defended. When the ball fell to Wheatley, he cracked a firm effort past Ben John. John then saved from Wheatley and the follow-up from Legge luckily ended up in the keeper’s hands.

Paulton looked in the ascendancy as Gould and fellow subs, Lamar Powell and Ibs Diallo, both brought saves from John.

Five minutes from time, Kyle Tooze crossed from the left and the large Bank Holiday crowd were left wondering how the onrushing Rob Hobbs missed any contact with a gaping net.

In the ninetieth minute Rovers’ efforts were undone as Josh Egan hit a speculative low drive which slipped Baldy’s hands and went into the net. It was equally disapointing as the Paulton keeper had had a good game until that point.

This Saturday, Rovers travel to Weymouth in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, kick-off at 3 p.m. The coach departs the club at 11 a.m. and those wishing to travel should add their names to the list in the clubhouse.

If a replay is necessary, this will be at Winterfield Road on Tuesday, 6th September, kick-off at 7.30 p.m. No members’ discounts are available as it is an FA Cup match.

Tony Walsh