YATE TOWN produced a terrific defensive display to earn a shock win over promotion-chasing Bridgwater Town this afternoon.

Striker Mark Reynolds scored the only goal of a fascinating contest on the stroke of half-time as Dave Mogg’s improving side took their biggest scalp of the season so far.

Bridgwater enjoyed most of the possession and piled on the pressure at times, but Yate’s defence held strong throughout, led by the outstanding Jon McAlinden.

Former Yate midfielder Matt Beadle came close to putting the visitors in front on 14 minutes after Graham Merceica and James Laird linked well down the left but Josh Dempsey got his fingertips on the ball to tip the fierce curling shot from 15 yards over the bar.

Yate struggled to penetrate the second meanest defence in the division but Zayne Simpson’s dangerous fizzing cross into the six yard area warmed the hands of goalkeeper Tom Manley, who did well to palm the ball away from danger.

Bridgwater continued the create the clearer opportunities though and as they attacked in numbers the unmarked Merceica headed over from James Price’s pin point cross.

They were made to pay for that miss three minutes later as Yate took the lead with their first shot on target. Simpson reached the byline and pulled the ball back to Reynolds, who turned and shot low into the corner.

An intriguing battle commenced in the second half as Bridgwater tried desperately to break down a stern defence, while Yate began to look threatening on the counter attack.

The visitors never really tested Dempsey though, with Price’s glancing header from Laird’s long free kick and Brett Trowbridge’s shot from the edge of the area after Andy Robertson’s through ball, both going straight at the goalkeeper.

On 75 minutes McAlinden made a crucial last ditch tackle to deny substitute Chris Young after Dempsey squirmed Matt Pepperall’s menacing low cross into the six yard box.

Russ Church’s pace on the break was always a threat and he had two chances to seal the win late on. The striker’s low shot from just inside the box went just wide and one minute later he lifted the ball over Manley following a neat exchange of passes with substitute Adie Adams but once again the ball went the wrong side of the posts.

In stoppage time, McAlinden cleared Matt Vinis’ header off the line from Laird’s inswinging corner and Yate survived another goalmouth scramble as they held on for a well earned three points.

Yate Town: Dempsey, Warren, Robbins, Hale, Thomas, McAlinden, Duggan (Fussell, 68), Vahid ©, Reynolds (Adams, 68), Church, Simpson. Subs not used: Hughes, Burt, Mogg.

Ref: Mr Shilston Att: 160 Gazette star man: Jon McAlinden.