Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two Dursley Town 1, Viney St Swithins 3 DURSLEY Town's promotion push was brought to an abrupt halt on Saturday as Viney St Swithins left the Recreation Ground with all three points.
Chris Dolbear's side worked hard to get in front but a freak goal got Viney level and the visitors proved stronger in the second half.
Town boss Dolbear said: "It was a big game and I think we froze. We did not win our battles all over the pitch."
Viney certainly made the better start, forcing the pace of the game without ever looking like scoring.
However, Dursley came more into the game as time went on and Will Steel hit the post with a shot from a tight angle.
The home side opened the scoring on the half hour when Steve Bennett played in Steel on the left and his ball across the goalmouth was converted at the far post by Antony Nash.
Less than ten minutes later though, Viney were level thanks to an enormous slice of luck.
Dursley goalkeeper Keith Watson came to collect a long ball from the Viney right but the ball landed on a divot and took an outrageous bounce high and wide of the goalkeeper to leave an in-rushing forward with a tap-in.
The goal knocked Town sideways and the visitors turned the game around completely in the second half.
Just short of the hour mark, Viney produced a good move that culminated with a fine shot high into the net from the right side of the penalty area.
Within five minutes it was 3-1 as four Dursley players backed away from a striker and he was able to plant a low shot past Watson from 20 yards.
Town substitute Maz Meta spurned a great chance to pull a goal back shortly afterwards but the hosts were otherwise disjointed and the Viney goalkeeper was rarely called into action.
Dursley: K Watson, P Miles, C Wilkins, R Crowcombe, C Lindsay, A Nash, J Redman, L Thomas (M Holloway 70), S Bennett (S Wearne 55), A Booth (M Meta 50), W Steel.
Goals: Nash (30).
Town play at Smiths Athletic on Saturday.
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