PEWSEY'S hopes of bouncing back from their Wiltshire Senior Cup exit were dashed by three late Bishops Cleeve goals.

Pewsey led 3-1 at the break but the visitors had drawn level by the hour mark and then enjoyed a late goal burst to complete their comeback.

Vale boss Steve Wootton said: "It was a real game of two halves. We were superb in the first half and scored the best three goals we've got all season.

"At half-time I asked for more of the same but it was a one-way street for them. They scored early in the second half with a penalty when Lee Wilson said he didn't touch the guy.

"Craig Wall had a half chance for 4-1 which he missed and I think that may have been the turning point.

"We didn't expect to get a lot because they are a good team but leading at half-time I expected more from us.

"In the end I think our fitness told to be honest."

It was Vale who got off to a flying start when they took a sixth minute lead. New signing Dave Hopkins put a great ball down the right and Barry Flippance timed his run perfectly to lob goalkeeper Dan Logan from 25 yards.

Pewsey went two in front just three minutes later when a Tom Ritchie free-kick into the box found Matty Messenger who out-jumped three defenders around him to head home.

But Pewsey's poor defending allowed the visitors to pull one back in the 21st minute through Steve Cleal.

The goal did little to hamper Pewsey's superb first half performance and they re-established their lead just before the break when Flippance played Craig Wall through and he beat the goalkeeper.

After the break it was Bishops Cleeve who dominated proceedings and the pulled a goal back within two minutes of the restart.

A penalty was given when goalkeeper Lee Wilson was adjudged to have brought down Peter Moss just inside the box. The spot-kick was converted by Kevin Slack.

The equaliser came on the hour mark through Ross and the visitors' were rewarded for their superiority with three more goals in the last ten minutes.

Lyndon Tomkins, James Verlesi and Gary Cornwall all hit the back of the Pewsey to complete the turnaround and leave the home still searching for vital survival points.

Vale were due to play Tuffley at home last night (Wednesday) and will again be in action on Tuesday when they travel to 16th placed Bicester.

Wootton added: "They are down near the bottom as well but they won on Saturday and are starting to get themselves out of trouble."

Dave Hopkins, Craig Wall and Tom Ritchie are all set to be available to face Bicester after serving seven-day suspensions.