SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: CORSHAM Town slipped to their first league defeat in more than two months as visitors Shepton Mallet came from behind to snatch maximum points at The Southbank on Saturday 17 November.

Top scorer Matt Pratley had given the hosts an interval lead from the penalty spot but second half strikes from David Kayira and Richard Thatcher were enough to end Corsham's nine-match unbeaten run in the First Division.

The defeat owed much to the home side's inability to deal with the visitors' direct approach in the second period and manager Mark Godley was crestfallen after watching his side lose for the first time since September 3.

He said: "We were maybe a little bit lucky to be a goal up at half time, but at least we had something to defend.

Matt Pratley and strike partner John Freegard both threatened Rob Davis' goal before the top scorer netted his ninth of the campaign on 26 minutes.

An early ball from centre back O'Mahoney again created the opportunity for Pratley to turn Banfield, but the defender tugged the Corsham man's shirt as he made his way into the area.

Pratley dispatched his spot kick in emphatic fashion to give the hosts the lead, while Banfield appeared rather fortunate to have escaped with a caution following his indiscretion.

The visitors began the second half in determined fashion and were level four minutes after the break. A long ball forward was collected by Thatcher and his run set up Kayira to fire the equaliser past an unsighted Chaplin.

Ponfield lobbed wide of Chaplin's goal following a lofted pass from Banfield, before the visitors went in front with nine minutes to go.

Burr's through ball found the lively Thatcher in space and the winger was allowed time to turn inside the area before shooting into the right corner of Chaplin's net.

Corsham's best chance of an equaliser came in injury time when a fine left wing cross from Lye was cleared for a corner at the far post before it could reach the lurking Freegard.

Corsham boss Godley will welcome back defensive lynchpin Kyall tomorrow when his side entertain Bitton.

Said Godley: "We are looking for a bit of revenge. We played poorly down there earlier in the season and will be looking to do well."