YATE Town suffered their first away league defeat since November at play-off rivals Tiverton, who leapfrogged above them and into the top five.

Tivvy should have been two ahead before they eventually did take the lead.

In the fourth minute a superb four man move ended with Dan Smith’s excellent low cross just evading Matt Wright at the back post.

Three minutes later Sam Malsom set up Max Kowal, whose shot was well saved by Yate keeper Martin Horsell.

The game’s only goal came in the 16th minute. Following a Yate free-kick Tivvy broke away and Smith beat two defenders before setting up Malsom, whose deflected shot off Billy Fletcher was enough to win a scrappy game.

Yate came closest to scoring in the 30th minute when a poor back pass set up Jordan Rogers, whose effort was blocked by keeper Mike Searle.

A Mitch Harrison volley was comfortably saved by Searle following a corner, while Lewis Haldane blazed over from 20 yards after beating Ed Palmer.

Just after the break Palmer should have put Tivvy two up, his free header from a Smith corner going narrowly wide, while Jordan Rogers hit a free kick over the bar at the other end.

With 15 minutes to go Horsell saved well from Smith, then Tivvy sub Aaron Wilson shot over when well placed.

In the last couple of minutes Tivvy lived dangerously but substitute Jake Jackson shot into the side netting and the hosts survived.

Yate have slipped to ninth in the table, but are still only three points off the play-off places.

They visit fourth-placed Paulton Rovers on Tuesday night (7.30pm).

Attendance: 242.