Paulton gained a deserved point after a long four-hour trip to St Neots Town, in Cambridgeshire.

Stricken with injuries, Manager, Nick Bunyard, gave a Southern League debut to eighteen-year-old Writhlington Academy player, Elliott Gibbons, and was only able to name three substitutes on the bench. Dean Evans made his first start of the season returning from suspension.

Former Wycombe Wanderers player, Matt Spring, was 'The Saints' midfield organiser, seeking to find his forwards with throughballs. However, these were cut out by the resilient Rovers' back line.

Gibbons worked tirelessly to gain his side's breakthrough and give support to Nick McCootie, who was a problem for the home defence. Town were awarded a penalty on 39 minutes, after Phillips was, it seemed, harshly adjudged to have brought down Ben Farrell and Drew Roberts converted the spot kick to make it 1–0.

At half-time, St Neots took off a 'Ford' and replaced it with a 'Ferrari'. That was Ben Ford, substituted by Lorenzo Ferrari, who certainly injected pace. They dominated early spells in the second half and Ferrari's speed was causing problems for Scott Brice and his men, but the home side wasted several chances.

Gibbons tested home keeper, Nathan Abbey, and McCootie was proving a threat, as Paulton sought to level the score.

Ferrari broke down the left and tried to chip the onrushing Phillips, only for Captain, Brice, to clear his lines.

Further problems followed for Rovers, when Jordan Walker limped off injured, to be replaced by Ryan Batten, himself returning from injury.

Rovers gained the equaliser on 81 minutes. Ben Lacey found Gibbons, whose pass to McCootie saw the big striker turn and be ceremoniously upended by Ben Farrell. He got up to thump home the resultant spot kick.

In the dying stages, Rovers pushed for the victory with Lacey and Gibbons both hitting long shots, blocked by the Saints back line.

Team: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Jordan Walker (sub. Ryan Batten, 68 mins), Scott Brice (C), Ollie Knowles, Dean Evans, Keiran Baggs (Josh Jeffries 76 mins), Elliott Gibbons, Mike Bryant, Ben Lacey, Nick McCootie. Substitute: Callum Hinder.

This Saturday, Paulton are home to high-flying Dunstable Town, currently in second place, kick-off at 3 p.m.

It's Non-League Family Day and Rovers have invited all junior schools and football clubs to come along, with children being allowed in free and a reasonable number of parents, teachers and Coaches. They have been advised to contact Tony Walsh to make arrangements. Any mum accompanying their child will be admitted free, too.

Season ticket holders of any Premier, Football League and Conference clubs will, on production, be allowed in free.

Local charity, SWALLOW, have been invited to send a party and take a collection for this deserving local cause.

Next Tuesday, 9th September, Paulton are again at home, this time to Hereford United, kick-off at 7.30 p.m. The following Saturday, it's the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, with Rovers home to Taunton Town.