Shepton Mallet are through to the next round after a 4-2 victory over Paulton Rovers, despite a couple of defensive mishaps that almost cost them the game.

Paulton pulled level early on after Corey Stock lost the ball, allowing Kye Simpson to smash one past Owen Crawford from 15 yards. Crawford had to stay sharp, pulling off a decent stop from Corey Rawlings midway through the first half, and soon after, Jake Sloggett almost found the net after a fine solo run. 

Shepton had their chances too, with two headers from Will Banks going close before the break. Cam Allen and Bateson started the second half brightly but disaster struck 10 minutes in. Monty Burgess misplaced a clearance, and Paulton took full advantage as Simpson bagged his second from close range. Moments later, a sloppy pass from Paul Braithwaite nearly let Simpson in again, but Crawford came to the rescue with a top save.

Braithwaite soon made up for his blunder by levelling things up, nodding in a Will Banks header from a corner. Shepton then took control, and with 20 minutes to go, Joel Sisson put them ahead again, finishing off another Allen corner.

The result was wrapped up when Allen's cross was fumbled by the Paulton keeper, with Bateson claiming a faint touch before it crossed the line, though it was given as an own goal. Shepton now face Oldland Abbotonians at home in the next round in November.

Man of the Match went to Monty Burgess, while the press pick was Joel Sisson. Cam Allen and Harry Rutty also stood out in front of a crowd of 182.

Shepton's next game is at home against Barnstaple Town on Saturday, 26th October, with a 3pm kick-off. They'll then travel to Clevedon Town on 2nd November.