CHIPPING Sodbury Town produced a resilient display at league leaders Hartpury University but remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a 3-0 defeat.

Not many would have given the visitors a sniff and in all likelihood, this could have been a long day for Sodbury, but they battled away for 90 minutes and restricted their hosts to just three goals.

In a competitive start from both teams, the home side forced a couple of early shots that were easily dealt with by Jamie Ferris in Sodbury's goal.

Sodbury were having some decent moments themselves but promising attacks ended with a shot flying over the bar and one effort straight down the keeper's throat.

But after an encouraging opening 20 minutes, Hartpury made the breakthrough thanks to Michael Symons' back-post head from a corner. 

Undeterred, Sodbury continued to create chances but tried to walk the ball into the net rather than shoot and Hartpury gradually began to push Sodbury deeper into their own half.

Having kept the game tight, Hartpury scored a crucial second just five minutes before the break when Riley McGregor picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward before striking low into the corner, through a strong hand from Ferris.

Into the second-half, Sodbury were still playing on the break and they looked to have gained themselves a route back into the game when a forward move saw Alfie Davis drive into the box and be brought down.

But as the visitors prepared for the penalty, the linesman's flag went up and the decision was overturned.

That seemed to be their last hope of salvaging a hugely unlikely point and the league leaders wrapped up the points 13 minutes from time when Josh Rooney fired home.