BRIDPORT 1 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC 0

WARREN Byerley’s second-half strike lifted the Bees into the top six on a day that saw most of the league’s big guns drop points.

Visitors Buckland had started the clash at St Mary’s Field above Bridport in the table but they, Willand Rovers, Brislington and Bitton all lost.

Bristol Manor Farm took over from Melksham Town, who weren’t in action, at the summit, though they could only draw at home against Winterbourne United.

Bridport’s win means they are five points behind the leaders, however, a couple of sides around them have games in hand.

Nevertheless, Bees’ boss Trevor Senior couldn’t be much happier with his charges after they gained revenge for a 3-0 defeat by Buckland in August.

“I couldn’t fault anybody, they all played well,” he said. “It was a very good win.

“I was pleased with how we dug in and defended, and we’re up to sixth now. We’ve still got to play a lot of the teams in the top half but we’re there or thereabouts.”

Focusing more on the game itself, he added: “Ashley Weeks didn’t really have a save to make in the first half. Both sides cancelled each other out but we got the goal about 15 minutes from the end.

“The referee played a good advantage and Matt Morley played the ball out to Jamie Symes on the right.

“He whipped the ball to the back post and Warren Byerley got his studs to it. They threw everything at us but the defence stood strong and Ashley made a couple of great saves.

“They camped in our half for the last 10 minutes and Chris Senior made a great clearance off the line.

“We broke away three minutes from the end and were two against one with their keeper, but Warren hit his shot past the post.”

Bridport will be without Chris Senior for Saturday’s game at Odd Down (Bath) where another three points could see them move into the top five.

Bees: Weeks, A Symes (Clarke 65), Morley (Condliffe 73), Evans, Senior, Hayter, Filkins, Wise, Richardson, Byerley, J Symes (Stewart 70)

Man of the match: Ashley Weeks

Attendance: 107