Shepton Mallet's play-off ambitions took a hit as they fell 3-2 to lowly St Blazey in a game that had it all – goals, drama, and a costly late slip-up.

The visitors started brightly, pressing forward and carving out early chances through Matt Morris and Will Banks, while Blazey's Jacob Rowe tested Shepton keeper Owen Crawford. But it was the hosts who struck first, capitalising on a defensive lapse from a set-piece to allow Callum McGhee to smash home past Crawford.

Shepton's response was swift. Just three minutes later, Charlie Walton played a pinpoint pass to Charlie Bateson, who buried his shot past Blazey keeper Kyle Moore to level the score. The remainder of the first half was a scrappy affair, with neither side able to take control, though Rowe fired wide for the hosts and Walton forced a routine save from Moore.

After the break, Shepton came out firing and took the lead in spectacular style. Morris picked up the ball on the left, cut inside, and unleashed an unstoppable strike from 30 yards into the top corner. It could have been 3-1 moments later when Talon Savage and Walton combined to set up Bateson, but the forward could only fire straight at Moore.

That miss proved costly. Just past the hour mark, George Newton pounced quickest after a shot rebounded off the post, slamming home from close range to bring Blazey level. Shepton had chances to reclaim the lead, with Walton and Savage both failing to find the target before Walton dragged another effort wide.

Then, with just 10 minutes left, disaster struck for Shepton. A mix-up at the back gifted substitute Charlie Menear the chance to slot past Crawford, sealing an unlikely win for the hosts. A late effort from Aaron Seviour was comfortably gathered by Moore as Shepton were left to rue missed opportunities.

Despite the setback, Will Banks impressed in an unfamiliar midfield role, earning Shepton's Man of the Match. With key players missing, manager Seviour will be hoping for a stronger showing in the crucial run-in.

Next up for Shepton is a trip to Brixham on Saturday, 22nd March (KO 3.00pm), followed by another away fixture at AFC St Austell. Their penultimate home game is against Buckland Athletic on Saturday, 5th April (KO 3.00pm), where they'll be desperate to bounce back and keep their play-off hopes alive.