MINEHEAD’S promotion push suffered a setback on Saturday as Congresbury gained revenge for the previous week’s 5-0 drubbing at The Rec with a winning goal in the dying seconds.

In a game which didn’t reach any great heights, only high levels of frustration and poor discipline, little of note happened in the opening half an hour, in which Minehead saw more of the ball, with neither side troubling the keepers.

The Blues’ day, which started badly enough with only 11 players available to play, got worse in the 35th minute when Grant Hodgson, who had been one of the more noticeable players on the pitch, tore knee ligaments whilst stretching to win a tackle.

After lengthy treatment he was carried from the pitch and replaced by assistant manager Robbie Hopkins.

It was not until well into the second half, when the game started to open up with Minehead seeking an all-important goal or two, that Congresbury started to look like they might have an opportunity to avenge last week’s defeat, and experienced playmaker Kyle Havard began forcing the home attack into more imposing positions.

Both sides had opportunities to poach the winner, but after a lack of discipline saw both Mike Graddon and Jack Furse see red within a matter of minutes, it was the home side who finally scrambled the ball home with virtually the last kick of the match.

Minehead: Sam Tarr, Matty Ronan, Grant Hodgson, Stephen Lynch, Mike Mullen (cap), Mike Graddon, Felix Ndiomo, Harry Scatchard, Aaron Ireton, Jack Furse, Matt Cracknell, sub Robbie Hopkins (used).

l Minehead remain on their travels for their last three matches, with their visit to unbeaten division champions Middlezoy Rovers’ Aerodrome Ground their biggest test of the season to date.

Promotion is now not as close as it was a week ago, with Wells City Reserves having regained their form and moved up to second in the table.