Didcot Town gained a deserved point in a game that Paulton Rovers dominated for most of the match with dogged defending.
Rovers piled on the pressure from the start, with Marcus Mapstone heading wide in the first minute from Luke Ballinger's left-wing cross. That was followed by chances to Nick McCootie, Ballinger and Mike Perrott.
The warning sign for the home side on nineteen minutes was John Mills getting behind the Paulton defence for keeper, Kyle Phillips, to block with his legs.
'Diddy' were grateful to Luke Carnell for some steady defending to keep out the constant attack. Rovers paid the price on 29 minutes, totally against the run of play, when full back, Sam Elkins, broke out of defence and hit a long, hopeful ball forward which Mills fastened onto and beat Phillips, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead.
On half-time, Barnes' free kick was headed by Ryan Batten straight into the arms of Town keeper, James Foster. Three minutes into the second half and Didcot made it 2–0, when Elkins' long ball was flicked on by Jack Longford and Mills was on hand to tuck the ball into the net.
Sustained pressure for Paulton paid off six minutes later, when Perrott thumped the ball past Foster after McCootie crossed from the left. After 72 minutes, Rovers levelled when Captain, Scott Brice, was on hand to score after Ballinger's shot was blocked by Carnell.
Carnell was again the stopper, turning McCootie's shot for a corner and then clearing off the line from the same player.
Three minutes from time and Didcot broke as Paulton pressed for the winner. Mills bore down on goal and laid to Longford to slot into the net to make it 3–2.
In the fourth minute of injury time, Rovers equalised as Ballinger's corner from the left was firmly headed home by Brice.
Squad: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Ryan Batten, Sam Teale, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice, Brandon Barnes, Josh Klein-Davies, Josh Jeffries, Mike Perrott, Luke Ballinger, Nick Bunyard, Ryan Bath, Nick McCootie, Saul Williams, Nick Bunyard, Paul Milsom.
Over £230 was raised at this game which was 'pay what you want', to be donated to Dorothy House, Colitis and Chron's Research and Paulton Hospital.
Rovers were home to Godalming Town as The Journal went to press on Tuesday, 8th April.
This Saturday, Bridgwater Town are the visitors, kick-off at 3.07 p.m. The significant kick-off time is in memory of the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster when 96 Liverpool supporters died and a brief tribute will be held prior to kick-off. Under sixteens will be admitted free. Members need to produce the new blue membership cards to continue to enjoy reduced entry. Renewed and new membership are being taken at the bar.
On Maundy Thursday, 17th April, Paulton travel to Bishop's Cleeve, kick-off at 7.45 p.m. Over Easter, they are away on Easter Saturday at Evesham United and home on Easter Monday to Mangotsfield United, note kick-off is 3 p.m.