HIGHBRIDGE Town saw their lead at the top of Division 1 of the Taunton and District Saturday League halved to three points after Dulverton ended their unbeaten record.

Highbridge took the lead after 20 minutes. Ricky Cook delivered a free-kick from the right and Will Bailey chested the ball down, turned and volleyed in from six yards out.

Heavy rain before the game meant the pitch was cutting up, making life difficult for both sides, but Highbridge might have increased their lead soon after when Wayne Hand’s shot beat the keeper but came back off the post.

Then, after a lovely midfield move, the ball was crossed into the Dulverton box and Bailey just failed to get on the end of it.

Dulverton went straight down the other end and delivered a miss-hit cross which went over keeper Steve Bailey. Ben King and a Dulverton player went for the ball, but neither made contact and the ball rolled in.

Highbridge had chances to regain the lead but five minutes later fell behind.

Dulverton attacked down the left, the ball was half-cleared and a speculative shot took a wicked deflection which completely wrong-footed Bailey.

Highbridge had a golden opportunity to make it 2-2 just before half-time, when Stuart Green was put through one-on-one with the keeper but failed to finish.

In the second half, Dulverton hit the bar with a free-kick but were generally content to try and hold on to their lead, as Highbridge failed to take further chances that came their way.

Highbridge now have a three-point lead over second-placed Nether Stowey, who beat Taverners 4-0, while Dulverton and Porlock are joint third, six points behind Highbridge but with two games in hand.

Highbridge are away at Wookey-based side Belrose in the Somerset Junior Cup this Saturday. Highbridge Reserves’ game against Alcombe was called off on Saturday because of the weather and they have no fixture this weekend.

Team: Steve Bailey, Russell Holley, Craig Holley, Steve Wills, Ben King, Will Bailey, Ricky Cook, Jason Hicks, Pete Thompson, Wayne Hand, Stuart Green. Subs: Will Conway, Sam Redstone, John Keir.