Southern Bracknell inflict more misery on Yate

YATE Town’s relegation fears deepened in Southern League Premier South with a 2-0 home defeat to promotion-chasing Bracknell Town.

Yate remained at the foot of the table, nine points adrift of safety, after goals from Adam Richards and Joseph Grant, after 38 and 50 minutes, secured victory for the third-placed visitors.

It was a bad day, too, for leaders Weston-super-Mare after a surprise 2-0 defeat at a North Leigh side battling to avoid the drop. Jack Alexander gave North Leigh a 35thminute lead with a rocket shot past goalkeeper Luke Purnell, and Conor McDonagh struck in the 70th minute to seal victory.

Weston stayed four points clear of Truro City, whose game was postponed, but Bracknell, two points further back but with a game in hand, now look to be serious contenders for the title.

In Division One South, Bristol Manor Farm’s attempts to move away from danger suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat at The Creek to a Lymington Town side now unbeaten in 10 games.

Stephen Walker gave Lymington a 39th-minute lead, but Manor Farm centre-back Josh Ford immediately responded with a headed goal after the Lymington goalkeeper misjudged a cross.

Owen Howe, with a shot over the crossbar, and Aron Robbins, with a header which went wide, missed good chances to put Farm in front, and Walker struck again in the 82nd minute with a header.

Manor Farm are still above second-bottom Cinderford Town on gol difference, but the Forest of Dean outfit did their hopes a power of good with an eye-catching 5-0 win against Hamworthy United.

Mid-table Paulton Rovers battled out a 1-1 draw against Wimborne Town at Winterfield Road.

Jez Bedford put Wimborne in front in the 40th minute, but defender Nick Hewlett equalised just before half-time with a powerful header from a Will Hailston cross from the right. Paulton were reduced to 10 when Dan McBeam was sent off in the 56th minute for an off-the-ball incident.