WATCHET’S first home game of the season ended in disappointment as it was their turn to be on the receiving end of a late decider when they lost 3-2 toy Odd Down Reserves.

The Bath outfit have enjoyed their visits to the Memorial Ground in recent seasons, and after trailing 1-0 at the interval they made the most of some crucial turning points following the break.

Working hard all-round to deny their opponents time on the ball, the Red and Blacks just about deserved the first-half lead, given to them by teenager George Dawson’s first senior goal on his full debut.

There was not too much in the way of goalmouth activity, although Aaron Deeks twice tried his luck with snapshots which failed to trouble the keeper.

Home custodian Callum Knight was also seldom bothered and his side were rewarded for shading the possession by going in front after making inroads on their left, and when Deeks slipped the ball past the advancing keeper Dawson made sure before a defender could clear off the line.

Soon after the restart Watchet had a great chance to consolidate their advantage when Deeks wriggled his way in from the left leaving defenders in his wake to set up Ryan Strong, but the tough-tackling midfielder blazed over the top from eight yards.

The Bath side then made their hosts pay by turning the game on its head with two goals in as many minutes.

First their tricky winger Martey weaved along the byeline to fire past Knight, and then the visitors found a rare gap through the middle which Cooper exposed to poke the ball inside an upright.

Deeks continued to threaten the Odd Down defence and after shooting narrowly off-target himself, it was his well-delivered free-kick which found Chris Sully rising unmarked at the far post to head the equaliser into the corner of the net.

Having got back on level terms, Watchet were dealt a blow as proceedings took another twist when they were left to play out the remainder with ten men after Ben Robinson received his marching orders after earlier being booked.

To their credit the Red and Blacks still looked the more likely winners, but the visitors snatched all three points with a last-gasp goal.

Watchet were punished for continuing to go forward when they lost possession and although Knight came out to make a fine save to deny Cooper, the ball was instantly returned into the unguarded net by substitute Allen.

Watchet: C Knight, L Rogers, D Richards, M Heywood, B Robinson, G Dawson, R Strong, C Sully, B Walsh, A Clausen, A Deeks, subs B Jones, C Clausen (both used).

l Tomorrow (Saturday) Watchet have a local derby away to newly-promoted Staplegrove (3pm).