Shepton Mallet hit back at St Austell in style after January's home defeat, grinding out a gutsy 2-1 win on a bone-rattling pitch and in blustery conditions that had both teams battling the elements as much as each other.

It was their best showing in weeks, with the entire squad stepping up and making it count — especially up front, where Jake Sloggett and Charlie Bateson looked dangerous from the off. The duo almost broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Sloggett's shot pinged back off the post. A minute later Paul Braithwaite headed wide, and Sloggett had another go soon after with a thunderous 20-yarder that flashed just past the upright.

St Austell finally mustered a response after 20 minutes, but Neil Slateford's piledriver was handled with ease by Owen Crawford, who was cool and commanding all game.

Shepton had more chances before the break — Sloggett twice denied and Bateson skying one after more good work from his strike partner. At the other end, a rare home attack was snuffed out by a brilliant sliding tackle from James Sharkey.

It was Sharkey again who helped break the deadlock early in the second half, swinging in a pinpoint corner that Will Banks met with a bullet header to make it 1-0 in the 53rd minute.

St Austell hit back on the hour mark when Matt Searle's cross found Adam Carter, who just nipped in ahead of Monty Burgess to poke it past Crawford.

The home side almost snatched the lead when Slateford's header looked destined for the net, but Crawford pulled off a superb diving save to keep it level.

Then came the winner — and it had more than a touch of luck about it. Bateson whipped in an angled cross from the left, and somehow the ball dodged everyone in the box — including keeper Andy Collings — and nestled into the far corner.

From there, Shepton saw the game out with some tidy game management to secure a hard-earned three points. The spine of the team — from Crawford at the back through to Bateson up front — looked rock solid, with Kieran Bailey and Braithwaite bossing the midfield and Ashton Shanley putting in his best performance since joining in January.

It was tough to pick a Man of the Match, but Bateson got the nod — and when you bag the winner, even a fluky one, you earn it.

Special mention to ref Mark King, who let the game flow, kept the cards in his pocket, and was easily the best official seen at this level all season. Hats off, ref.

Reserves run riot

Elsewhere, Shepton's Reserve side made light work of Haydon Sports First, thumping them 7-1. Will Reilly bagged two and scooped the Man of the Match award.

Next up

The first team face Buckland Athletic on Saturday 5 April. Kick-off at 3pm.