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.

"I just couldn't believe how badly we defended in the second half. We did miss Brian Kyall from an organisational point of view, but we could have defended better than that.

"They just hit the long ball but gambled with runners all the time and we never picked them up. We've got to look at ourselves and have to adapt better to sides that play different styles.

"To be fair to them, the lads are really gutted as well because they know they didn't go about it in the right way. Our final ball was terrible as well, although we still created some chances even when we were two-one down."

The visitors, who forced Chippenham Town to an FA Cup replay in September, made a bright start and thought they had gone in front in the eighth minute. Prolific striker John Burr netted after Craig Chaplin had parried a shot from Thatcher, but an assistant referee's flag cut short the celebrations.

Having survived the early scare, Corsham should themselves have broken the deadlock two minutes later when Gary Banfield misjudged a long ball from Kevin O'Mahoney. Pratley pounced on the mistake but could only lob the ball wide of Rob Davis' right post with the goalkeeper stranded.

Pratley and strike partner John Freegard both threatened 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 despatched his spot kick in emphatic fashion to give the hosts the lead, while Banfield appeared rather fortunate to have escaped with a caution.

But Shepton still looked a danger every time they pressed forward and it took a fine save from Chaplin to deny Burr after the 12-goal striker had caught the home defence napping.

Beck was foiled by Davis at the other end and the Shepton goalkeeper spared team mate Elliot Light's blushes by producing an excellent stop after the defender had miscued an Andy Wicks free kick goalwards.

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.

Freegard almost restored the Corsham lead when he rose highest to head a Wicks free kick goalwards, but Davis was again equal to the task and produced a diving save to his right to deny the frontman.

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 on Saturday 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."

l MELKSHAM Town's long unbeaten run came to an end as they went down 1-0 at Premier Division champions Taunton Town on Saturday.

A solitary Ellis Laight goal midway through the first half was enough for the home side to clinch the win and they remain in second place with three games in hand on leaders Brislington.

Player-manager Robbie Lardner and Frankie Coleman both saw late chances go begging as Melksham slipped to their first defeat in 11 matches.

Westbury United face a fine after postponing their away clash with Barnstaple on Friday afternoon.

A flu bug swept through the Westbury camp, leaving them without enough available players to field a full side, but league secretary Ken Clarke confirmed they are likely to be punished over the late postponement.

He said: "They have in excess of 30 players signed on, so I would be surprised if the management committee didn't impose a heavy fine. "

In the First Division, Warminster Town's dreadful season continued as they went down 8-0 at Street.

Warminster travel to Larkhall Athletic on Saturday, while in the Premier Division Melksham play host to Odd Down and Westbury are at home to Elmore.

Devizes Town return to league action on Saturday with a trip to lowly Bishop Sutton.