With over 200 supporters, Paulton Rovers travelled to Penydarren Park, home of previously undefeated Merthyr Town, and won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division with a resolutely defensive performance.

Many of the large 'Martyrs' supporters in a crowd of 2,201 were confident, but Paulton's Manager, Nick Bunyard, his Assistant, Paul Milsom, and Coach, Josh Jeffries, were determined Rovers were not there as part of the Welsh club's celebrations.

In the early stages, Paulton withstood constant pressure with keeper, Kyle Phillips, saving from Ryan Newman and ex-Bristol City and Rovers man, Gavin Williams, trying to organise his midfield.

Central defenders, Scott Brice and Marcus Mapstone won header after header as Town built attacks down the wings, with Rovers' full backs, Ben Lacey and Mike Reaney, solid.

Indeed, on twenty minutes, Brice's header found Brandon Barnes and he played a one- two with Nick McCootie and raced goalwards, drawing the home keeper, Lee Idiz, only to shoot wide when a goal seemed more likely.

Ian Traylor and ex-Southampton player, Kyle McLaggon, combined well, but could not get past Phillips. Merthyr's free kicks from Newman and Gavin Williams sailed over the crossbar as the home side tried to convert their dominance.

Rovers came out more determined in the second half, with Mike Perrott and Luke Ballinger linking well with McCootie.

He won a corner after fifty minutes, taken left-footed on the right by Barnes. Perrott, on the far post, brought the ball down and passed across the goalmouth for McCootie to tuck into the net and give Paulton the lead.

Merthyr brought on Ryan Prosser and the giant striker worked well with McLaggon and Kris Leek, only to be thwarted by Phillips and his defenders, bolstered by Dave Thompson adding extra height to cover the threats.

Phillips saved bravely at the feet of McLaggon and his clearance in the 66th minute to Ballinger, then Perrott, found McCootie towards goal, only to have his feet taken from underneath him by Newman.

McCootie stepped up with a well-taken, firm penalty, beating Ibiz to his right to make it 2–0.

Merthyr took Gavin Williams off to bring on ex-Bath City winger, Kerry Morgan, and Phillips was called upon to save at the Welshman's feet and did not take kindly to him not pulling out when the keeper was clearly going to win the ball.

With eight minutes left, McCootie broke down the left wing and appeared to be fouled, but carried on with the goal at his sight to be fouled again in the penalty area. Referee, Tim Wood, quite rightly took the ball back to the original infringement, much to the chagrin of the vocal Paulton support.

McCootie was then substituted by Josh Klein-Davies, receiving applause from the vast majority of the large crowd.

Merthyr threw everything at Paulton in the dying minutes, but Captain, Dan Cleverley, who has taken Rovers from the Western League ten years ago, led his side imperiously as Prosser and Morgan tried desperately to stop the Rovers party.

However, it was Cleverley who accepted the promotion trophy from League Chairman, Ken Thorne, to set the Paulton Rovers celebration party in full swing.

Team: Kyle Phillips, Ben Lacey, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Mike Reaney, Brandon Barnes, Dave Thompson, Mike Perrott, Luke Ballinger, Dan Cleverley, Nick McCootie (Josh Klein-Davies 80).