THORNBURY Town finally got their Hellenic League Premier season underway on Tuesday night with a 4-1 defeat at Mangotsfield United.
Thorns were pushing for an equaliser in the final ten minutes at 2-1 down, but the Mangos' Marcus Kelly and Kyrese Morrison scored late goals to add some gloss to the scoreline in what was a competitive contest.
Tom Warren put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time but Matt Toghill's equaliser just after the break brought Thornbury deservedly level.
But Mangotsfield's Jaydn Crosbie restored their lead only minutes later before the late flurry of goals sunk Thorns.
Harry Brock worked an early opening after good Thornbury pressure but saw his right-footed attempt saved by Jakob Glover.
Tom Webb almost headed in the game's opener when he got on the end of Joe Guest's delivery from the right.
The hosts then went close to breaking the deadlock when they hit the crossbar as James White let fly from outside the box.
But the night's first goal eventually came on the stroke of half-time when experienced defender Warren headed in to hand the home side the advantage.
Thornbury almost levelled immediately but Jim Brock's shot from 25 yards clipped the top of the crossbar.
After the break Thornbury started brightly and they were rewarded with the equalising goal. A shot took a heavy deflection and bounced into the path of summer signing Toghill who hammered in from close range to level.
Back came Mangotsfield though to restore their lead only minutes later through Crosbie, and as Thornbury opened up towards the finish in the hope of drawing level again, Mangoes took advantage as Kelly and Morrison struck in the final few minutes.
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