Evo-Stik Southern League

Division 1 South

Paulton Rovers 0 – 3 Cirencester Town

Cirencester kept their play-off hopes on track as they recorded another victory on the road at Paulton Rovers in a game marred by two dismissals for their hosts.

It was their fifth win in a row and moves them to within four points of third place Moneyfields.

In a competitive first half that contained rare glimpses of football as the sides struggled to cope with the strong wind and bumpy pitch Paulton were reduced to 10 men before the half hour mark but Cirencester were unable to capitalise, playing up the slope and into the wind, and at the interval it remained goal-less.

Six minutes into the second half Cirencester were awarded a penalty kick and Ben Whitehead expertly converted it after another home player was dismissed for his second yellow card.

With their two-man advantage Cirencester were able to work the ball across the pitch as they probed down their flanks but they were finding it difficult to open up their hosts.

A minute after the introduction of Jordan Morris a flowing move led to an exchange between Morris and Aidan Bennett and the former drove the ball home with a slight deflection en-route to the back of the net.

A few minutes later a corner kick from the right reached Baboucarr Jarra at the back post and when he drove it across goal Ellis Dunton managed to divert it inside the right post.

With the advantage of two men and three goals Cirencester were able to control the game after this but to their credit Paulton continued to battle to the end.

Cirencester now turn their attention to a huge game at the Corinium when second place Yate Town visit next weekend.

The Bluebells fell to a surprise defeat at Larkhall Athletic on Saturday.