Evo-Stik League Southern Division 1 South and West

Yate Town 0 Clevedon Town 1

YATE Town missed the opportunity to go level on points with North Leigh and within goal difference of the play-offs after going down to Clevedon Town at Lodge Road on Tuesday night.

Clevedon Town scored with near enough their only opportunity of the game, a nice strike beating Martin Horsell into the top corner.

It was a slow start to the match, though, as it took 15 minutes for either side to find a shot on target. Jordon Rogers got that strike, rattling the post with a brilliant volley from outside the box.

Josh Ford then had a golden opportunity to put Yate ahead after the 20 minute mark when a fluffed Jordan Ricketts shot found its’ way into the path of the centre-half but he could only fire the ball into the Clevedon keeper’s arms.

However, Clevedon got the goal that turned out to be the difference between the sides against the run of play.

After blocking three attempts on the Yate goal, the ball bounced to the Clevedon attacker who rifled the ball past Horsell into the top corner.

Ex-Clevedon player Charlie Hitchings nearly levelled straight away, hitting a side-footed volley just wide after a great delivery from Dale Evans.

It was the final ball that was lacking from Yate in the first half. The build-ups were brilliant but they just could not find that killer ball.

It didn't take long for Yate to try and find the equaliser in the second half, a brilliant long ball from the back by Ford was expertly taken in his stride by Ross Staley to fire a low drive that was fumbled by the Clevedon keeper.

As it looked like Rogers was there to fire the ball home, the Clevedon defence just beat him to the ball to clear it.

New signing Jake Harris came on in the 67th minute to make his debut and nearly made an instant impact. The former Weston-super-Mare and Newport County striker showed great control to turn the defence and fire a snapshot which was saved well by the keeper.

The other substitute Nuno Felix also looked very dangerous and showed great skill to beat players and fire just wide.

But Yate could not find the equaliser and now face fifth-placed North Leigh at Lodge Road on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm) in another crucial clash for play-off places.

Yate Town team: Horsell (c), Cox, Staley (Felix 67), Ford, Warren, Hitchings, Ricketts (Tippins 85), Harmer, Evans, Rogers, Jackson (Harris 67).