Paulton travelled up to Shakespeare country to face Stratford Town and inflicted the Midlands club with only their second loss in their last eight league games.
Rovers started with intent and Mike Perrott was set up by Dan Cleverley. His shot was parried by home keeper, Andy Kemp, who then brilliantly saved Brandon Barnes' follow-up shot. Nick McCootie outpaced the Town defence and worked well with Dean Evans, whose ball into the area saw Kemp block Perrott's attempt on goal.
In the eleventh minute, Evans' cross was flicked goalward by Marcus Mapstone, only for Kemp to stretch and save the ball. Three minutes later, Stratford's first chance saw tricky winger, Jamie Sheldon, bring a save from Rovers keeper, Kyle Phillips, and the Division's leading scorer, Richard Gregory, fire high over the bar.
Against the run of play, Stratford took the lead on nineteen minutes. Sheldon's corner on the left was beaten away, but his cross back into the area was headed back across goal by Callum Burgess and bundled home by defender, Guy Clark.
Undaunted, Rovers hit back and levelled nine minutes later. Cleverley sent a ball out to Perrott on the left, who cut inside, hit his shot goalwards and it had crossed the line before the Town defender could help the ball further into their net under pressure from Saul Williams.
Paulton kept up the onslaught with McCootie proving difficult to handle and Stratford resorting to pumping high balls, which were meat and drink to Mapstone and Ryan Batten, in the heart of the visiting defence.
Two minutes into the second half and Paulton had a great chance to take the lead. Perrott's cross from the left was met too early by an unmarked Williams and he headed high over the bar.
The lead was achieved just two minutes after that. Left back, Sam Teale, found McCootie running at two defenders before laying the ball back to the left of the penalty area, finding Evans. His firm, right-foot drive went across Kemp to make it 2–1.
Kemp twice saved one-on-one with McCootie and then the Paulton striker ran from the halfway line, only to see his shot brilliantly saved by Man of the Match, Kemp.
Fifteen minutes from time, McCootie won a tackle, his shot was blocked falling to Williams, only to see his effort deflected over the bar for a corner.
In the 85th minute, Stratford's midfield, made a horrendous two-footed challenge on Rovers' Saul Williams. He was shown a red card and dismissed from the field.
Town tried a late rally, but their high-ball game was totally ineffective, with Rovers deservedly taking the three points back down the M5.
Team: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Sam Teale, Marcus Mapstone, Ryan Batten, Brandon Barnes (sub Ben Lacey 75 mins), Mike Perrott, Ben Lacey, Saul Williams, Dan Cleverley (C), Nick McCootie (Josh Jeffries 85). Subs not used: Callum Hinder, Paul Milsom, Nick Bunyard.
Last Tuesday, 18th March, Rovers played at Odd Down in the quarter-final of the Somerset Premier Cup. This Saturday, Paulton (currently in third place before midweek matches) are at home to Clevedon Town, kick-off at 3 p.m. and next Tuesday, 25th March, travel to Cinderford Town, kick-off at 7.45 p.m. The supporters' coach will leave the club at 4.15 p.m.
Just a reminder that this Friday, 21st March in the Francis Suite at Paulton Rovers FC, it is the Sports Relief Question of Sport event, with teams from Welton Rovers, Radstock Town and Paulton Rovers, who will be represented by Manager, Nick Bunyard, and goalkeeper, Kyle Phillips. All proceeds to Sports Relief, the event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance from all three clubs.