Robins in peril after defeat in Hampshire

Despite fighting back to level matters in Hampshire, Bideford AFC eventually went down to a painful 3-2 defeat at Bashley, a result that leaves the Robins just one point above the relegation zone and the teams below them have games in hand.

Injury and suspension have combined to leave manager Sean Joyce low on numbers but they still started brightly against promotion-chasing Bashley, Jordan Ewing forcing a superb save from home custodian Mack Allen before he then struck the post with a header.

Bideford were all over their hosts and got the reward on 15 minutes, Finn Roberts fizzing a superb long-range strike into the back of the net.

Unfortunately, the lead only lasted four minutes, as Bashley stormed forward and levelled matters with a goal from Luke Delaney, who gave Andrew Sowden-Bird no chance. The Bideford stopper was better placed to deny the next Bashley attempt but the home side then grabbed the lead with a close-range finish from Brett Williams.

The Robins rallied in impressive fashion, Alex Moyse and Billy Tucker forcing good saves from Allen. A tremendous encounter had more twists to come in the second period, Bideford snatching a deserved equaliser 15 minutes from time, when Alex Byrne was felled in the box and Tucker confident despatched the penalty.

Bideford needed time to settle for the final push but Bashley had other plans, pinching all three points with a header from Scott Bungay. The loss was incredibly harsh on the Robins, who were thwarted in the closing seconds by a desperate goal-line clearance.

It is back to the Sports Ground this weekend, when Bemerton Heath Harlequins are the visitors. The Quins are just two points away from the play-off positions, so another big challenge for Bideford.

Elsewhere in Division One South of the Southern League, Exmouth Town remain second after a 2-2 draw with Malvern Town, while a goal from Ashton Hewitt was enough to give Willand Rovers the Devon derby triumph at Tavistock.