Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South and West

Bridgwater Town 2, Larkhall Athletic 3

BRIDGWATER Town striker Tom Knighton believes his side were ‘unlucky not to get a point’ from Saturday’s home defeat at the hands of Larkhall, after Alex Grimshaw’s injury time effort was disallowed for offside – but said the players had ‘let themselves down’ with their first-half performance.

Town conceded three times during a sloppy first-half display – and, despite goals from Dave O’Hare and captain-for-the-day Knighton, were unable to complete the fightback – leaving the striker and his teammates to rue their slow start to the game.

Knighton said: “We were disappointed with the loss, but more disappointed in the first-half performance because we have been putting in some solid performances – but we let ourselves down in the first-half on Saturday.

“When we look at how we played in the second-half, it makes it even more frustrating.

“Giving away the penalty early on killed it for us – you never want to concede early because from then, you’re up against it.

“We did well in the second-half and got back into the game and we were perhaps unlucky not to get a point, because we had a goal disallowed that a few of the lads thought was harsh.

“But we’ve got a great chance to put things right against Wimborne Town tonight (Tuesday) – they are a good side so we will have to at our best, but we’re confident of getting a result.”

In an incident-packed encounter, Town fell behind in the second minute when Hobbs reacted first to hammer home a penalty rebound, after John had denied Tyler Sibbick from the spot.

But the hosts drew level on 28 minutes when Knighton’s corner was met by O’Hare, who headed home from ten yards out.

Town were level for just six minutes, as Sibbick broke free and, despite being initially denied by John, slotted home the rebound to give Larkhall the lead for the second time.

It was 3-1 on 43 minutes as centre-half Dan Jones headed in a corner, leaving Town with a mountain to climb in the second-half.

Bushin almost pulled one back for Town when visiting goalkeeper Alex Shaftoe’s clearance cannoned into the onrushing striker, but the ball drifted wide of the post.

Knighton gave the hosts a lifeline on 82 minutes with an unstoppable curling free-kick – and their hopes of snatching a draw were given a further boost when Larkhall striker Sibbick was sent-off for kicking out at a Town player and Hobbs was also dismissed for a second yellow card.

Now with a two-man advantage, Town piled on the pressure and thought they had sealed a point when Grimshaw fired in from close range – but the linesman raised his flag for offside and Town were left empty-handed.

Town: John, Grimshaw, Allward, Allan, Thomas, Andrews (Welling 60), O’Hare, Chamberlain (Byrne 71), Knighton, Bushin, Griffiths (McNab 30).

Bridgwater Town host Wimborne Town tonight (Tuesday) hoping to bounce back from Saturday’s reverse – kick-off is 7.45pm at Fairfax Park.