Shepton Mallet were left fuming after a night of drama, controversy, and clinical finishing saw them tumble to a 4–2 defeat at high-flying Paulton Rovers.

For the first 35 minutes, Shepton held firm against wave after wave of Paulton pressure, with new boy Jay Sutherland standing out at the back. But then came the collapse. Joel Sisson, solid until that point, gave away a penalty after a tangle with Wayne Nderemani, who promptly got up and stuck it away.

Cam Allen was sin-binned for protesting the call, and it got worse just before the break when Paulton skipper Martin Lenihan was allowed to take a quick free-kick without a whistle — catching keeper Will Hunter cold and doubling the lead, as the Shepton bench erupted in disbelief.

JJ Littlewood gave Shepton hope just after the restart, first testing ex-Mallet keeper Sam Jepson, then beating him from range on 50 minutes to make it 2–1. But that joy was short-lived. Former Shepton man Kailan Gould came back to haunt his old side before Ktan Jaiyeoba made it four before the hour mark.

Hunter denied Kyle Witt a fifth with a sharp save, and Shepton did manage a late consolation when Ben Snell rifled home a classy finish after a slick Paul Braithwaite break. A stoppage-time red card for Paulton added a final twist, but by then the damage was long done.

Paulton, who've now gone seven games without conceding from open play, move within a point of leaders Clevedon Town — though they've played two games more.

As for Shepton, they'll be eyeing a response when they host St Blazey on Saturday (KO 3.00pm).