AFTER going a tremendous 18 games without losing, Town were finally forced to taste defeat when they lost 3-1 at Paulton Rovers in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup yesterday.

Despite enjoying ample possession, the Peacocks were unable to raise their overall game sufficiently to get the better of their Southern Premier hosts who took their chances when it mattered.

Town started out well enough, Jamie Short's hooked shot from the right being held by Kyle Phillips but their plans were disrupted just past the quarter hour when Jamie Price was taken off with a head injury.

This seemed to knock confidence and Paulton took advantage, grabbing the lead on 25 minutes after a move down the right led to Josh Klein-Davies crossing to Mike Bryant who had the relatively simple task of sidefooting home.

Steve Murray fizzed a shot just past Phillips' left post before the home side doubled their tally on 42 minutes when Klein-Davies lobbed the ball forward, the Town defence slightly hesitated expecting offside which was enough for Bryant to run on and angle his shot across Joe Perry into the far corner.

Brett Trowbridge missed a golden opportunity to get Town back in it early in the second half but with the goal at his mercy he lost his balance and failed to connect.

Klein-Davies fired a shot against the post and Scott Brice came close with two headers before the tie was sealed with a route one strike on 79 minutes when a long goal kick from Phillips was allowed to bounce, giving Klein-Davies the chance to easily tuck the ball past Perry.

Short notched a consolation one minute from time, making inroads into the box before slanting his effort across Phillips into the far corner but moments later Bryant was not far off his treble, his shot being deflected narrowly wide as Town failed to progress beyond this round for the eighth successive season.

Manager Leigh Robinson said: "We're naturally disappointed to lose, it's been so long since we have experienced that feeling. It was a close game where they took their chances and quite simply we didn't.

"I can't fault our players for anything. Losing Pricey so early hurt us a bit as it meant another defensive reshuffle, having already adjusted to being without Ben Mammola, but we have to put our hands up and say that Paulton were more clinical on the day.

"I must say congratulations to our boys for a magnificent run. Their application and concentration has been superb and if we can continue in a similar vein for the rest of the season we'll be in for a good one."