Bridgwater Town turned in one of their worst first-half performances of the season as Cinderford established a three-goal lead - but by the end of the second half they should have at least got a point, writes Brian Austin.

Cinderford completely dominated during the first 45 minutes and forced three early corners - Luke Buckingham was soon in action as he saved well from former Bridgwater player, Nick McCootie.

McCootie then turned provider when he set up a chance for Lewis Somers but he blasted wide when he should have done better.

Cinderford went ahead after 12 minutes when Dale Evans scored with a well-struck shot that took a slight deflection as it sailed past Buckingham.

Evans then made it two on 17 minutes when his thunder bolt from 25 yards flew into the back of the net.

McCootie should have made it three when Somers headed the ball down to the lanky striker but somehow he screwed the ball wide of a gaping goal.

In a rare Bridgwater attack, a good run down the right by Graham Mercieca ended with the winger's cross just eluding the incoming Chris Young - but that was as near as Town came to a goal during a one-sided first period.

Time and again Town gave the ball away and were uncharacteristically over-run in midfield. Then right on half time, Billings headed the visitors further ahead, beating Buckingham to highball into the area and the ball crept agonisingly over the line.

Luke Buckinham received a facial injury when trying to prevent the Billings strike and Steve Perkins took over as emergency keeper for the second half.

As poor as Bridgwater were during the first half, they were as good during the second in a complete turn around.

Sean Kenny had two early chances but was unable to get either on target as Town poured forward on the attack. Josh Turner got a header on target, from one of Neil Peeks many long throws, but it was straight at Cinderfords excellent keeper, Ben John.

Substitute Mike Mackay watched in disbelief as John turned away a pile driver from ten yards and then when Mackay got in a great header from a Mercieca cross, John again, kept the eager striker out.

Under immense pressure, the Cinderford goal finally cracked when Middleton stole in at the far post and headed Town's first from a Mercieca cross on 69 minutes.

Turner's goal-bound header from another Mercieca cross was kept out by the busy John, but Peek did well with a last ditch tackle as Cinderford broke away.

Robinson, who worked hard all afternoon, got in a shot which looked to be on target until it hit one of his own players, but eventually Town got a deserved second when another Mercieca corner was headed powerfully goal-wards by Mike MacKay and Peek gleefully rammed it home to set up an exciting finale.

In the 90th minute, substitute Jamie Howson broke clear down the left and pulled the ball back to Naby Diallo who side footed the ball past John for what Town thought was a deserved equaliser.

As everyone celebrated the referee ruled the goal out as the linesman had spotted someone off-side in the build-up.

Town's joy turned to despair and a couple of minutes later the final whistle ended their fine fight-back and their recent unbeaten run in the league.

The defeat was hard to take, such was the spirit shown during the second half, but Town will look back on the first half and the three goals gifted to the visitors in what was a very poor display from front to back. No doubt harsh words were said during the half time break and the transformation was amazing.

Team: Buckingham (6) (sub Perkins) (7) Peek (6) Middleton (7) Turner (7) Snook (6) Robertson (7) Diallo (6) Wring (6) (sub Howson) (6) Young (6) Mercieca (8) Kenny (6) (sub MacKay) (7)

Referee Iain Parsons (7) The match was sponsored by Castlefield Old Boys and the Ball sponsor was Pete Webb.