YATE Town suffered a damaging defeat on Boxing Day as their difficulties continued with a 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Paulton Rovers.

David O'Hare scored the game's only goal at the start of the second-half but Yate were left to rue missed chances in a must-win game at the bottom of the Southern League Division One South table.

Paulton's Frankie Phillips had to get down well to save from Dylan Lewis before the home keeper was again called into action to make a save from a Callum Hutton strike as Yate came close on a number of occasions.

But despite being under a fair amount of pressure in the first-half, Paulton returned from the half-time break rejuvenated and they were ahead after just a couple of minutes.

Martin Lenihan laid it off to O’Hare who fired Paulton in front to give the home team a precious lead in their relegation scrap.

But Yate continued to lay siege on the Paulton goal and Dan Restorick pulled off a great block on the goal line to preserve their lead and Phillips denied Yate once again as the game wore on.

Paulton did have their chances to make the game more safe as the match entered the final 10 minutes, Jamarni Langlais’ rattled the crossbar before Ed Butcher's resulting volley was saved and Fin Haines' header went over all inside five seconds.

There was 10 minutes of added time but all that really happened was a second yellow card for Paulton's Sam Pashen.

The result means Yate stay a place and three points above the relegation zone, whilst Paulton move above Bashley into 16th.